Motor Oil Statement: 'Fire at Agios Theodoros Refinery Extinguished'

Motor Oil said in a statement that the fire that broke out in the afternoon of September 17, 2024 in the southern part of the company's Agioi Theodoroi refinery has been extinguished.

“At this stage, the refinery continues to operate at reduced capacity. Three employees of a partner contractor received minor injuries during the explosion that led to the fire. Their life and health are out of danger..

The incident resulted in material damage, which is fully insured by the company – both infrastructure and operational loss of profit resulting from any interruption in work. The incident does not pose a danger to the oil refinery area or its surroundings.

The fire brigade and the company's oil refinery staff played an important role in extinguishing the fire,” MOTOR OIL (GREECE) DILLING POOLS OF KORINTHOS SA said in a statement

Earlier it was reported that four workers were taken to hospital after being injured by the flames. One of them suffered burns to his hands and was taken by ambulance to Corinth Hospital, where he is in satisfactory condition. Two more were hospitalized with minor burns, and the fourth has problems with health due to explosions.

However, just before 10pm (September 17) the situation had clearly improved and firefighters are optimistic, but the risk is still high due to the nature of the site. The “tower” from which the fire started has already fallen, and all the valves connecting the tanks and structures were immediately closed to isolate the source of the fire. The firefighters' efforts are concentrated on this very spot, and they are continuously pouring foam and water on it to extinguish the initial fire. In a statement yesterday, Motor Oil said the following about the refinery fire:

“Today, September 17, at the oil refineries of the southern plant of the Motor company Oil in Agios Theodorou experienced a serious fire for unknown reasons. The situation is in the process of being resolved. As a result of the fire, three employees of the contractor company received minor injuries to their upper limbs; they were evacuated to the Corinth hospital and are receiving all necessary assistance. We have been in close and ongoing cooperation with the authorities since the beginning of the incident. We thank the fire brigade and its staff, as well as our employees at the refinery, for their cooperation from the very first moment.”

A powerful explosion occurred on 17/09 in the afternoon at a motor oil plant in Agios Theodoros in Corinthia, next to the Athens-Corinth national road. shook the oil refining sector, followed by a massive fire.

Everyone hopes that the fire will be extinguished soon and without casualties, because the Motor Oil plant is not just an industrial facility: it is the economic “heart” of Greek industry and the country’s largest export company.

Fire engines from oil refineries are being deployed to put out the fire, 35 firefighters with 11 engines, and reinforcements are constantly arriving.

At the same time, three helicopters are flying in the area as a precaution to act if the fire spreads. There are currently no reports of casualties.

In connection with the fire, a message was sent out to the 112 number, urging people to leave the area. Traffic is reportedly suspended from the height of the Agios Theodoros junction to the height of the Kalamakiou toll plaza in both traffic streams. At the same time, according to Hellenic Train, train traffic on the section between Kineta and Corinth is interrupted due to a fire.

By order of the fire brigade and OSEtrain 1324 remains at Kineta station, and train 1327 at Corinth station. Delays and possible cancellations are expected.

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