The images went viral on social media. Moroccan firefighters brought a spectacular blaze under control at a large gas depot near Casablanca on Thursday evening without causing any injuries, local authorities said. The stunning disaster, images of which were circulating on social media, erupted at around 6 p.m. local time (5 p.m. GMT) at a gas storage facility in the coastal city of Mohammedia in western Morocco. The fire was brought under control two and a half hours later.
According to 2M media, citing an “authoritative source,” the fire started in a propane tank. There is a suspicion that tanks have exploded. Rescue workers secured the adjacent area of the burned-down depot and evacuated neighboring houses as a precaution.
The main explosion is now “under control” at the source of the fire, the city’s governor said at the Medias 24 site in Morocco. Five tankers, each with a load of eight tons, were destroyed by the flames, the authorities said.
Large explosion in propane gas stores in Mohammedia port about 20 minutes ago
Uncontrolled fire that continues to increase despite the presence of firefighters on site. Park, harbor and fish market were evacuated
Info journalist on site @MoukrimSalma pic.twitter.com/2gCM9kErbZ
— Hamza Hachlaf (@M_Hamza_Hachlaf) December 22, 2022
So far no casualties have been reported. The fire brigade quickly intervened on site, “fighted the fire gradually” and evacuated “the houses around the scene of the accident,” the television station said 2M.
Video of firefighters fighting the fire. Gas tanks of the Moroccan market leader in the distribution of LPG, butane and propane “Afriquia Gaz” can be seen. #mohammedia pic.twitter.com/s0imu7ALTB
– Stephane Kenech (@stephanekenech) December 22, 2022
But the situation “could have worsened, given the proximity of the fire to the oil port and the nature of the combustible products.” According to witnesses contacted by Médias 24, “the air is unbreathable, saturated with the characteristic smell of gas”.
In videos posted on social media, the city is first lit up by this amazing explosion, then plunged into darkness as the power is turned off.
🚨#BREAK: Massive explosion at a propane gas storage facility
📌#Mohammed I #Morocco⁰⁰Watch as a massive explosion takes place at a storage facility in the Port of Mohammedia, nearby buildings have reportedly been damaged, it is currently unknown how many people have been injured pic.twitter.com/n5FiwU8sT6
— RAWSGL 🌎 BAL (@RawsGlobal) December 22, 2022
According to Moroccan daily Le Matin, the situation could worsen due to the fire’s proximity to the oil port and the nature of the combustible products. An investigation was launched to determine the causes of the explosion.