Massive fire breaks out in Beirut port one month after devastating blast

BEIRUT (NEWS 1130) – A massive fire broke out at the Port of Beirut on Thursday, just more than a month after a devastating blast in the same area left close to 200 people dead.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, however, the Lebanese army says it broke out at a warehouse where oil and tires are stored.

The port was destroyed by an explosion on Aug. 4 after more than 2,700 tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate was ignited.

Pictures and video of the Thursday fire posted online show thick black smoke billowing from a building in the port, with flames shooting from the structure and fire crews working to put them out.

Insane fire at the port, causing a panic all across #Beirut. We just can’t catch a break. pic.twitter.com/PtdHehPlz0

— Aya Majzoub (@Aya_Majzoub) September 10, 2020

No injuries have been reported.

The latest fire at the port sent panic throughout a country already marred by devastation. The Aug. 4 explosion caused widespread destruction throughout the city of Beirut, leaving more than 6,500 people hurt. Hundreds of thousands of people also lost their homes.

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Lebanese in and around Beirut had been in the process of trying to rebuild amid a crippling economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The blast represents what many have described as a clear example of the government’s neglect and mismanagement of the country.

Thursday’s fire comes after another, smaller fire started at the port earlier this week. Tuesday’s blaze was quickly put out.

-With files from The Associated Press