The fire started around 13:30 pm at the refinery. Two firefighters are battling the flames. Helicopter footage shows trucks on fire. Residents in the vicinity of the refinery are advised to leave their homes as a precaution.

A highly dangerous and large-scale fire is currently taking place at the Manguinhos Refinery, in the North Zone of Rio today(17). According to the bodies responsible for operational monitoring in Rio de Janeiro, the fire started at 13:30 pm. Images from above and from Whatsapp groups show trucks and other vehicles on fire, as shown below:

Firefighters asked residents to leave the area around the refinery while the flames are fought. There are many slums and communities bordering the refinery. Smoke can be seen from several locations in RJ. The side road to Avenida Brasil, was interrupted so that there is no flow of civilians, there are also interdictions in some points of the Yellow Line. According to Lamsa, exit route 9A is completely closed and the best option in the mento is to exit via 10A.

Update at 15:35 pm: Fire has just been brought under control by firefighters