BREAKING NEWS: Huge fire breaks out in the rubble of Beirut's port just weeks after an explosion decimated the area
- Huge column of smoke seen by traumatised citizens rising from port Thursday
- A store of oil and tyres are burning and firefighters have rushed to the blaze
- Comes 37 days after ammonium nitrate explosion killed 190 and injured 6,500
A huge fire has erupted in the rubble of Beirut's port just 37 days after an explosion decimated the city.
A huge column of black smoke and red leaping flames were seen among the steel wreckage this afternoon. It is not yet clear what may have caused the fire.
The Lebanese Army said the fire was at a warehouse where tyres and oil were stored. Firemen, as well as army helicopters, have rushed to the scene to douse the flames.
Panicked residents cracked open windows and called each other to warn them of the new fire, while offices nearby evacuated their employees.
An inferno raging at the port in Beirut on Thursday afternoon just 37 days after the city was rocked by an explosion
Firemen douse the burning tyre and oil storage facility in Beirut's wrecked port on Thursday
An army helicopter drops water on the fire this afternoon in Beirut's port area
Fire engines douse the flames at the port in Beirut on Thursday after tyres and oil caught fire
Smoke rises from Beirut's port area, Lebanon, on Thursday
Black smoke from burning tyre and oil stores rises from Beirut's port on Thursday
A resident films a huge column of black smoke rising into the air from the port, left, and another cameraman close by captures the fire
Lebanese troops closed the major road that passes near the port referring traffic to other areas.
Police spokesman Col. Joseph Msalam said they have no information about what is happening at the port adding that the facility is currently under control of the army.
Asked about reports that the fire was caused by burning tires and oil, he said 'I don't know. It could be containers. I really don't know what is there.'
It added that firefighters are dealing with the blaze.
The August 4 ammonium nitrate explosion killed more than 190 people, injured around 6,500 and damaged thousands of buildings in the Lebanese capital.
The sight of another huge fire a month later created panic among citizens traumatised by last month's explosion.
Firemen douse the inferno at the port in Beirut on Thursday afternoon
Black smoke rises from the wrecked port today. It is not yet clear what caused the fire
Black smoke rising from Beirut's port this afternoon
Black smoke fills the horizon in Beirut on Thursday causing panic among the traumatised locals
Smoke from a huge fire raging in Beirut port on Thursday
The fire raging in the ravaged port of Beirut on Thursday
Firemen douse the blaze on Thursday as Army helicopters circle above
A fire raging amid the steel wreckage caused by last month's explosion
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