Deadly explosion rocks Venezuelan refinery

Firefighting extended into a third day at a storage area of the big Paraguana Refining Center in Venezuela after an Aug. 25 explosion and fire in the Amuay section that killed at least 41 people, according to press reports.

No operating units were reported damaged at the 940,000-b/d complex, but at least the Amuay sector was reported shut down.

The complex integrates the Amuay and Cardon refineries in Falcon state and the Bajo Grande refinery in Zulia.

State-owned Petroleo de Venezuela SA said it was meeting customer needs from inventory.

Most of the victims were reported to be military troops and family members.