KUWAIT CITY, Oct 18, Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) stated that the fire that broke out Monday in the sulfur removal unit of the Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery was under complete control. The company’s firefighting team were backed up Kuwait Fire Force, successfully controlled the fire, which was proceeded by an explosion in the unit, Executive Vice President of Ancillary Services and Acting Company Spokesperson Abdulaziz Al-Daej in a statement to KUNA.

The fire caused several workers suffocating due to smoke inhalation, some were treated on-site while others were taken to hospital and are in stable condition, KNPC said. The fire did not affect the production and export operations or the local supply, affirmed Al-Daej, noting that Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water Mohammad Al-Fares and KPC Executive Director Hashem Hashem with company officials, was immediately at the fire site to oversee the ground efforts and check on the safety of workers. Al-Daej added that they are currently working on restoring the unit to its normal state, indicating that the company is in the process of forming a committee to find what caused the fire in accordance with the followed procedures in this matter. (KUNA)