Ecuadorian authorities reported a fire at a reservoir within the Izmara Das oil refinery, located in the northwest of the country. The incident led to a shutdown of operations at the facility, the nation’s largest refinery, and the evacuation of nearby residents.

Eyewitnesses described a massive plume of smoke and flames rising above the city as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. According to a local source, military personnel and refinery staff cordoned off access roads to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles.

Energy Minister Enas Manzano stated via the “X” platform on Monday morning that the fire was concentrated in a fuel tank, adding that the situation was under control.

“The fire was caught in a fuel tank,and the situation is under control,” Manzano wrote.

Petro Ecuador, the state-owned oil company that operates the refinery, confirmed that there were no fatalities. Though, five individuals received first aid for smoke inhalation, the company stated.

The company further announced a complete cessation of refinery operations to ensure the safety of both the facilities and its employees.

The Izmara Das refinery has a refining capacity of 110,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is the largest of Ecuador’s three refineries, playing a critical role in the country’s oil export economy.