Massive blaze erupts at Indonesia oil refinery

Firefighters in Indonesia are working to put out a massive fire that has broken out at one of the country's largest oil refineries.

The fire broke out at the Balongan refinery, run by state oil firm Pertamina, at 00:45 local time on Monday (17:45 GMT Sunday), reports BBC.

At least five people are injured - though this is expected to increase - and around 950 residents have been evacuated to safety.

The cause of the fire remains unclear.

TV footage and videos on social media showed the fire still raging on Monday morning with a plume of smoke rising high above the refinery.

"We smelled a strong fuel scent first, so strong that my nose hurt, while we heard lightning strikes," one nearby resident told local news outlet Metro TV, according to a Reuters report.

According to the regional disaster management agency, five people were being treated in hospital for serious burns with another 15 for minor burns.

The injured are both nearby residents and people who were on a road near the refinery when the fire broke out.

Residents from a nearby village have been evacuated to several different camps with the relief efforts further complicated by Covid-19 measures.

Pertamina said the cause of the fire was unknown, but that it started during heavy rain and lightning.

The oil firm also said it was shutting down the refinery and conducting "oil flow control" to prevent any further spread.

The Balongan refinery which is located approximately 200km east of the capital Jakarta and measures at least 340 hectares, can process 125,000 barrels per day.