Fuel Depot Fire In Ukraine Under Control
Emergency services on June 9 contained a fuel depot fire outside the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, but three firemen are still missing after the blaze triggered a powerful explosion.
Top security official Oleksandr Turchynov said in a statement, "Firemen have the situation...under total control."
Turchynov said there was no longer any threat of the blaze spreading and emergency services were putting out remaining fires in the depot.
Ukrainian media reported that one person died in hospital after being hurt in the incident and several others were injured. Three firemen were unaccounted for after the explosion ripped through the area as they battled the fire.
The fire at the depot near Vasylkiv, 30 kilometers from Kyiv, burned overnight and by morning had spread to at least 16 supply tanks, most of them storing gasoline.
Interior Ministry official Zoryan Shkiryak said police were investigating three possible causes of the fire: "violations of fuel storage regulations, technical malfunctions, or arson."
The depot's owners said they suspected arson.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
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When shelling started in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, some residents took shelter in their basements. What they thought was a short-term situation has now dragged on for a year. Petr Shelomovskiy of RFE/RL's Current Time TV program visited one shelter where 40 people -- nearly half of them children -- are struggling to get by in the cramped conditions of their temporary underground home.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said about 6 p.m. Kyiv time that the entire "crisis" surrounding the fire at the fuel depot would be "resolved entirely" in 12 hours. He also confirmed that five people had been killed by the fire and a powerful blast that it caused.
This ends our live blogging for June 9. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our continuing coverage.