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Ukraine battles deadly blaze after huge fuel depot blast near Kiev | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Emergency crews are continuing to battle a huge fire south-west of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, following a blast at a fuel depot. | |
Four people were killed, including three emergency ministry employees. | |
The fire at the depot, next to an army base near the town of Vasylkiv, sent huge plumes of smoke over the surrounding area. | |
Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko warned that harmful substances in the air over the city exceeded maximum allowed levels. | |
He urged residents with respiratory problems to limit their "exposure to the open air". | |
The cause of the blaze about 30km (19 miles) from Kiev is being investigated, with officials say it may have been negligence or arson. | |
Meanwhile, the army has been clearing a munitions storage facility, located about 50m (164ft) away, according to Oleksandr Turchynov, secretary of Ukraine's national security and defence council. | |
Fears it could spread | Fears it could spread |
The blaze broke out on Monday evening in one tank and spread to neighbouring containers, Ukraine's emergencies ministry said (in Ukrainian). | The blaze broke out on Monday evening in one tank and spread to neighbouring containers, Ukraine's emergencies ministry said (in Ukrainian). |
A large explosion occurred shortly after 08:00 local time (06:00 BST) on Tuesday. | A large explosion occurred shortly after 08:00 local time (06:00 BST) on Tuesday. |
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov tweeted: "There has been an explosion at the oil depot near Vasylkiv. A huge one." | Interior Minister Arsen Avakov tweeted: "There has been an explosion at the oil depot near Vasylkiv. A huge one." |
He later wrote: "Unfortunately, the bodies of three emergency ministry employees have been found." | |
Mr Avakov also said that the blaze was localised. | |
Earlier, Ukrainian officials reported the death of one person. He is believed to be a depot employee. | |
Of the 16 tanks on fire, eight were said to have a capacity of 900 cubic metres (32,000 cu ft) each. | Of the 16 tanks on fire, eight were said to have a capacity of 900 cubic metres (32,000 cu ft) each. |
Two hundred firefighters have been trying to bring the fire under control amid fears it could spread to an adjacent depot. | |
People in a 2km (1.24 miles) zone around the petrol containers currently on fire have been evacuated, Mr Turchynov said. | People in a 2km (1.24 miles) zone around the petrol containers currently on fire have been evacuated, Mr Turchynov said. |
Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the blaze? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the blaze? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
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