Flames and smoke rise from the Matanzas Supertanker Base, as firefighters and specialists work to quell the blaze which began during a thunderstorm the night before, in Matazanas, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. Cuban authorities say lightning struck a crude oil storage tank at the base, causing a fire that led to four explosions which injured dozens. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
(HAVANA, CUBA) — Lightning struck an oil storage facility tank outside of Havana, Cuba causing raging fires that ignited a second tank explosion nearby.
Hundreds of people were injured when the bolt of lightning struck one tank at a big oil tank farm on the west side of the island country and sparked a fire that spread to a second.
Over 120 people were treated for injuries with five in critical condition.
Nearly five-thousand had to be evacuated, and at least one firefighter is dead after 17 firefighters had gone missing while trying to battle the flames.
Specialized teams sent by the United States, Mexico and Venezuela have joined Cuban firefighters to extinguish the fire using helicopters and specialized chemicals.