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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Refinery fire spreads in Venezuela
PUNTO FIJO, Venezuela -- An intense fire at a Venezuelan refinery spread to a third fuel tank on Monday nearly three days after an explosion killed at least 41 people and injured more than 150.
Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said a third tank ignited at the Amuay refinery, which has been in flames since Saturday's blast.
Government officials had previously said they had the blaze contained, and the spread to another tank was an apparent setback to their plans to quickly restart the refinery. While a thick column of smoke blew in the wind, Ramirez told reporters the fire was still contained.
"There is no risk of a bigger event," Ramirez said, without specifying how much longer it might burn.
Officials have said a gas leak led to the blast, but investigators have yet to determine the precise causes. Prosecutor General Luisa Ortega said at a news conference 151 people were injured, 33 of whom remain in hospitals.
A nine-year-old girl was missing in the area, Health Minister Eugenia Sader said on television.
Criticisms of the government's response to the gas leak emerged from local residents as well as oil experts. People in neighbourhoods next to the refinery said they had no official warning before the explosion hit at about 1 a.m. on Saturday.
The blast knocked down walls, shattered windows and left streets littered with rubble.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 28, 2012 A9
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