Civil defense forces in Damietta succeeded Monday in putting out a fire at the natural gas pipeline extending to the province’s free industrial zone to Port Said.
Valves were closed at the pipeline, helping to empty the section which witnessed the blast. Measures are underway to cool the facility.
The explosion late Sunday made a strong echo near surrounding regions, prompting panicked citizens to run out of their homes, fearing the blaze would extend to nearby farmlands. The blast and consequent disorder had disrupted traffic between Damietta and Daqahlia.
Damietta security chief Feisal Dewidar said it has not yet been established whether the blast was the result of a criminal action, adding that no casualties resulted from the incident.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
