Luis Fortuño, Puerto Rico’s governor, calls for calm and denied today that the fire at the refinery in the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation of Cataño, a town near San Juan, has caused at the moment, environmental disaster.
Fortuño said at a press conference that “after flying over the area I made sure the fuel stored at the refinery did not reach the waters surrounding the center, where more than 150 firefighters backed by the National Guard are working”.
He added that “the air quality in San Juan is good, although a huge cloud of smoke is covering the Puerto Rican capital and its surrounding areas”. He continued by stating to the press that “There is no pollution of nearby waters” and that “the wind blows from the north today, which favors not extending the fuel stored in tanks outside the boundaries of the refinery”.
He explained that “to avoid environmental risks was closed the port area, in particular the neighboring bays and Guaynabo, Puerto Nuevo. And reported that “A U.S. Coast Guard ship that specializes in environmental disasters is on its way to Puerto Rico”. As for the accident he cautiously stated that “it would be irresponsible to rule on whether this could be an act of sabotage, so we will not provide information about it until the investigation is concluded.
Fortuño said “I will not accuse anyone, right now we are protecting our citizens .” Jose Figueroa Sancha,head of the Police, stated that “the explosions were initially in 12 of the 40 tanks at the refinery, it is currently unknown what caused the fire.”
The governor confirmed that “165 people living in surrounding areas were evacuated to Coliseo Cosme Beitía Salamo, a sports facility in Cataño. And that “The schools in the area did not open their doors” Fortuño explained that “a yellow alert is current. He further clarified that ” Our government stays in direct contact with the White House.”
Police spokeswoman reported that “The fire forced the relocation of over a thousand prisoners, which mobilized more than 200 members of different police forces.
