Flames Spread Through 7 Crude Storage Tanks in Syria

At least seven oil storage tanks near Syria’s major refinery in Homs burned after an explosion Tuesday at a government-owned crude oil facility, local media report.

The initial explosion occurred in a tank that was off-loading crude to the Homs refinery, state television reports. The resulting flames then swept through the surrounding tanks.

No damage was reported at the refinery. No casualties were reported.

The cause of the blast remains under investigation. A terrorist attack by Islamic State militants has not been eliminated.

Fuel shortages due to erratic supplies of Iranian crude has forced rationing throughout government held areas.