Venezuela Oil Tank Fire at La Salina Terminal Extinguished After 24 Hours

A massive fire that started on Tuesday at an oil tank in Venezuela’s La Salina terminal, operated by state company PDVSA, was finally extinguished on Wednesday, according to authorities. The fire occurred during a storm at the facility near the city of Cabimas, where crude oil is stored and shipped between domestic ports. The incident resulted in 24 employees and neighbors sustaining minor injuries due to two explosions and high temperatures that affected the tank’s structure.

After more than 24 hours, firefighters and the interior ministry announced that the fire had been completely extinguished. The area was left blackened and covered with large pools of foam as crews continued to cool off the tank with water. PDVSA confirmed the incident at crude tank 75012 and assured that firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other deposits, with the neighboring Bajo Grande oil-exporting terminal remaining unaffected.

Frequent fires and power outages are common at PDVSA’s deteriorated infrastructure, often leading to operational disruptions. The incident highlights the challenges faced by the state oil company in maintaining its facilities. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are still under investigation by authorities.

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