The fire that broke out yesterday afternoon at the Motor Oil facilities in Agioi Theodoroi has been extinguished. Firefighting forces remain on site, continuing their efforts alongside Motor Oil’s firefighting teams until the fire is entirely under control.
According to the police, traffic on the old Athens-Corinth national highway, disrupted by the fire, was restored shortly before 6 a.m.
The fire was preceded by a powerful explosion, with three workers, according to the company, being taken to nearby hospitals with minor injuries.
The refinery spans 2 million square meters and employs around 1,400 workers.
According to the Fire Department, initial evidence suggests that the fire broke out during work being carried out inside a refinery tank by a contractor crew.
Motor Oil issued a statement today, assuring there is no risk to the Agioi Theodoroi area.
The statement specifically notes, “The fire that broke out yesterday afternoon, September 17, in the southern section of the Motor Oil refinery in Agioi Theodoroi has been extinguished. The refinery continues to operate at reduced capacity.”
It continues, “Material damage was sustained, for which the company is fully insured—both for infrastructure and for any operational loss of profits resulting from the interruption of work.”
The fire started at 5:50 p.m., and the facility’s fire safety officers immediately informed the Fire Department Operations Center. Sixty firefighters and 25 fire trucks were swiftly dispatched to the scene.
