A major fire broke out at a refinery reservoir in Aspropyrgos early on Friday morning, with thick black smoke visible in Western Attica and Piraeus.

The refinery staff members are initially dealing with the fire, but Fire Brigade vehicles have also been dispatched to the area, to better manage the situation and extinguish the fire.

Eight refinery employees have been injured and suffered burns, some of whom are in a critical condition. Six have already been rushed to the Thriasio and Attiko hospitals, with the remaining soon to be hospitalized. The National Center of Health Operations (EKEPY) believes that more employees may have been injured.

At present there is some confusion as to what has occurred, but the specific reservoir was being maintained, according to a statement released the reservoir’s owner, ELPE. The company also stated that all provided security measures had been observed.