(Trinidad Guardian) Thick, black smoke billowed high into the skies across Port-of-Spain yesterday, as thousands of gallons of fuel burnt indiscriminately following an explosion at National Petroleum’s Sea Lots compound.
Three people, said to be contractors performing maintenance work on the compound at the time, were injured in the blast and were quickly whisked away from the scene for emergency medical care.
One contractor sustained burns to the forearm and thighs, while another experienced intense heat to the head but escaped burns. The third contractor was found several moments after his colleagues, reportedly traumatised from the event. All the men were taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for treatment.
According to NP, the explosion took place at approximately 12.45 pm on the southern side of the Tank Farm area of its compound.
Shockwaves from the explosion sent nearby employees scampering for safety.
Police and fire officials were quick to respond.
Later on, employees were seen running across the Beetham Highway under police watch before assembling in a muster point area just east of the Port-of-Spain Market. Still adhering to COVID-19 protocols, all were masked and most socially distanced. However, they were all recounting their experiences over their phones. Most said they felt the building shake, then heard the loud explosion.
