Gas facility explodes in Turkey

A liquefied petroleum gas filling facility has burst into flames following explosions at the site in northwestern Turkey.

The fire spread to at least seven houses near the Akcagaz facility in Izmit, the Anatolia news agency reported, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Thick black fumes filled the sky and 5,000 people have been evacuated from the area as a precaution, said Ummet Kandogan, the deputy governor of Izmit.

The facility is close to an oil refinery but is not in any immediate danger.

Three of the five tanks at the Akcagaz facility had exploded, Kandogan said. The cause of the explosions was not immediately known.

Firefighters were brought in from neighboring regions, to help bring the fire under control.