Russia investigates large oil depot fire in region near Ukraine

(Reuters) -Russia mentioned on Monday it could examine the reason for a big fireplace that erupted within the early hours of the morning at an oil storage facility within the metropolis of Bryansk 154 km (96 miles) northeast of the border with Ukraine.

Unverified social media footage confirmed what appeared like two explosions adopted by a tower of flames, with one unverified video exhibiting a hearth raging round a large gasoline reservoir.

Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Conditions mentioned no one had been harm within the incident.

The ministry mentioned in an announcement that the hearth had damaged out at a facility owned by oil pipeline firm Transneft at 0200 Moscow time (2300 GMT), and that there had been no must evacuate any components of Bryansk, a metropolis of 400,000 individuals.

The Russian Power Ministry mentioned there was no menace to diesel and gasoline provides within the Bryansk area after the incident and there have been sufficient gasoline stockpiles.

It added that the size of the blaze was being assessed.

Different unverified footage confirmed what regarded like one other fireplace burning at a second location in Bryansk.

There was no rapid indication that the hearth or fires have been associated to Ukraine, which has mounted fierce resistance in opposition to Russia since President Vladimir Putin despatched troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what he referred to as a particular operation.

There was nonetheless unconfirmed hypothesis on social media that the hearth or fires have been the results of a Ukrainian missile strike.

There was no rapid remark from Ukraine which has denied or not responded to earlier strategies that it has struck targets inside Russia.

Russian officers mentioned final week that Ukrainian helicopters had hit residential buildings and injured seven individuals within the Bryansk area. Ukraine’s defence ministry didn’t reply to a request for touch upon that allegation on the time.

(Reporting by Reuters reportersEditing by Clarence Fernandez, Gareth Jones, William Maclean)