A massive fire broke out at a refinery belonging to Hungarian oil and gas conglomerate MOL. The incident occurred at the company’s Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta. Firefighters contained the fire and secured the area. No injuries were reported. 

Authorities are also continuously monitoring air quality, although no values ​​above the health limit have so far been measured. As to the extent of damage at the refinery, an assessment can only take place after the plant cools down, which will take about 24 hours. 

The exact cause of the accident remains unknown, with an investigation ongoing. The exact plant at the refinery that caught fire is AV3, a distillation plant. AV3 is the first processing unit where crude oil enters the refinery, is separated into different components according to boiling point, and then sent to further plants for further processing.

Of primary concern, especially going into the winter heating season, is security of supply. 

“Mol Plc. will focus on Hungarian supply in the coming period and is also considering the need to use the strategic stock,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday morning, according to Telex. However, as of now, the refinery has already been restarted and Hungary’s needed supply has been assured. 

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also emphasized that Hungary’s energy supply remains secure, posting on Facebook: “This morning I discussed this with MOL executives and the Minister of the Interior. Hungary’s fuel supply is secure. We will investigate the circumstances of the fire at the Százhalombatta oil refinery as rigorously as possible.”

At a press conference, MOL ruled out any external influence and said the fire had nothing to do with a reported explosion in Romania.

“The expert investigation is still ongoing, but according to our current information, there is no indication that there was any external influence,” they told reporters, according to Index.