ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A fire broke out Tuesday inside a major oil refinery west of Athens, prompting Greek authorities to issue an evacuation alert for the surrounding area.
No injuries were immediately reported from the blaze near the seaside town of Agii Theodori, some 70 kilometers (40 miles) from Athens.
The fire service said 30 firefighters were battling the blaze, assisted by three water-dropping helicopters, while more forces were being rushed to the scene.
Video shown on state ERT television showed clouds of black smoke billowing out of the refinery, which belongs to Greece’s Motor Oil energy group. People living near the site were sent push alerts on their mobile phones to evacuate the area.
The refinery is next to the main highway linking the capital with the southern Peloponnese region.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.