Smoke billows from a gas station near the town of Tall Abbas in Akkar, August 6, 2022. (Credit: Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — Several fires broke out in northern Lebanon Saturday, notably in Akkar and near Batroun. L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the region reported that all were brought under. No injuries have been reported.
Here’s what we know:
• A fire erupted out in in the district of Batroun Saturday morning, in a valley near the town of Besbina. Civil Defense were dispatched to the scene and, according to the service’s Twitter account, the fire was extinguished around noon.
• Another fire struck near some homes in the locality of Hosniyah, Akkar, consuming several gardens. Residents sounded the alarm with Civil Defense, informing them the flames were spreading quickly. L’Orient Today’s correspondent reported this fire was extinguished in late afternoon.
• Another blaze broke out at a gas station near Tall Abbas, Akkar. Traffic was stalled by smoke from the fire. Firefighters soon arrived at the scene and had extinguished the flames by late afternoon. Though the home of the gas station owner was damaged, catastrophe was avoided as flames did not reach the fuel tanks.
• Some of the fires afflicting the country are believed to be criminal in origin, and the authorities regularly publish maps showing the country’s changing fire risks. — Reporting by Michel Hallak