[UPDATE] Civil Defense extinguishes fire in southern Beirut suburb that led to large plumes of smoke

BEIRUT — Civil Defense has extinguished a blaze early Saturday afternoon in the Al-Kafaat area south of Beirut that led to large plumes of smoke rising over the area after a back-up generator and its diesel tank had caught fire.

Here’s what we know:

    • In its statement, Civil Defense said that the blaze had extended to nearby cars, adding that its firefighters had controlled the fire and were working to cool the area. 

    • Smoke had risen over the year visibible from afar, as crowds gathered around the fire in videos circulated on social media. 

    • By early afternoon the fire was put out as Lebanese army troops deployed to the area.