A fire broke out at an oil facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sending dense black smoke into the air, according to an eyewitness. The incident occurred at an unspecified time, though reports suggest it happened during the day. The eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the scene as chaotic, with flames visible from a distance.
Footage obtained by the Associated Press shows the extent of the smoke plume rising above the city. Emergency services were called to the scene, and efforts are underway to control the blaze. Local authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, though initial reports suggest it may have been sparked by equipment failure.
This is not the first such incident at an oil facility in the region. In 2021, a similar fire broke out at a refinery in Jubail, also in Saudi Arabia, leading to temporary shutdowns and environmental concerns. The current fire has raised questions about safety protocols at industrial sites in the area. Officials have not yet released any official statements on the incident, but they are expected to provide more details in the coming hours.
