JAKARTA: (Bernama) A community-operated oil well in Indonesia’s Aceh province is believed to have exploded on Sunday (July 5), sparking a fire that prompted authorities to cordon off the area as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
East Aceh Police Criminal Investigation Unit chief AKP Novrizaldi said five fire engines were deployed to the site in Gampong Lhok Lemak, Darul Ihsan subdistrict, East Aceh Regency, while officers established a safety perimeter.
"The exact cause of the fire resulting from the oil well explosion is not yet known,” he said, according to Antara news agency.
Novrizaldi said firefighting efforts were hampered by the continued release of flammable material from the well, requiring crews to proceed cautiously to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby oil palm plantations.
Authorities have yet to confirm any fatalities, injuries or the extent of the damage, Antara reported. - Bernama
