Refinery fire put out

CILACAP, West Java: Conflagration razing seven oil storage tanks over three days in the state-owned oil company Pertamina's refinery plant died out yesterday afternoon, an official said.

Pertamina's director for refinery G.J. Atihuta told journalists the fire was "completely out" at 2:40 local time. Fire fighters then hosed the tanks to kill the heat.

He said the gas emitted from the compound was not poisonous as people feared. "None of the fire fighters wear masks," he said, trying to dispel rumors that toxic gas blanketed the area.

Thousands of families who had fled their homes streamed back yesterday.

Atihuta said that the company will soon repair the damaged facilities and replaced those destroyed so that the refinery can resume production next week. (wah/pan)