Germany: Eight injured in blaze at refinery; hundreds evacuated

Smoke rises from a refinery in Vohburg near Ingolstadt in Bavaria, September 1, 2018. (Source: REUTERS)

Eight people have been injured in a blaze at an oil refinery in Bavaria, and another 1,800 people living close by were temporarily evacuated. Police said the fire spread quickly after a loud detonation was heard early Saturday in the southern German town of Vohburg an der Donau. A huge smoke cloud could be seen miles away.

Residents were evacuated because of possibly toxic smokes. Air tests later showed it was safe for people to return to their homes.

The German news agency dpa reported all eight injured were Bayernoil refinery employees. It said some 400 firefighters and police were on the ground to help extinguish the fire.