Image: Ariana Cubillos/AP/Press Association Images

VENEZUELAN FIREFIGHTERS have managed to put out a blaze at the country’s largest oil refinery which started early on Saturday.

The fire began after an explosion at the facility and spread to three fuel tanks. At least 41 people have died, about half of whom were National Guards assigned to protect the refinery, and scores more were injured.

An investigation into the cause of the explosion and ensuing fire has been launched, but officials said over the weekend that they believed a gas leak at one of the tanks was at the source of the blast. A number of nearby homes were damaged by the explosion.

Authorities evacuated houses in the area following the explosion. However, locals have criticised how authorities have handled the disaster, saying they received no official warning before the 1am explosion.

President Hugo Chavez tweeted updates on the operation to extinguish the fires last night, and officials said today that the fires are out and that the focus now is on cooling the tanks.

Russia Today has this dramatic footage of the blaze and the thick column of smoke rising from the flames:

YouTube: RussiaToday

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