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David Stanley Ford

Puerto Rico fighting fuels fire’s health risk
Stadium ready for 30,000 residents

By The Associated Press    Comments Comment on this article0
Published: October 25, 2009

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Thousands of people living on the outskirts of a burning fuel-storage site in Puerto Rico were urged to move Saturday to avoid toxic smoke still billowing from the fire.

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More than 1,500 people were evacuated after Friday’s earthshaking explosion at the Caribbean Petroleum Corp. in the suburb of Bayamon, just west of the capital of San Juan.

Only a few people were slightly injured by the blast, which broke windows, tore doors off their hinges and shook the ground. But authorities are now concerned about those downwind of the fire, with breezes pushing smoke toward more populated neighborhoods.

Authorities urged residents — especially those with respiratory problems — who live near the site to temporarily move elsewhere until the fire is extinguished and the smoke brought under control.

"To those people with respiratory problems, our recommendation is that you not wait,” Gov. Luis Fortuno said.

Several people have sought medical help for respiratory distress,Fortuno said. Fortuno said a stadium has been prepared to accommodate about 30,000 people.

The blast’s cause is still under investigation. Fifteen of 40 fuel tanks caught fire, and five were still burning Saturday afternoon, Fortuno said.

He has declared a state of emergency for five municipalities, including San Juan and Bayamon.

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Health and Fitness, Medicine, Medical Specializations, Respiratory Medicine


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