Smoke billows from the Alfa transmission station in Al-Marah neighborhood, Hermel, disrupting broadcasts to the city and surrounding villages. (Credit: Courtesy Sara Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Fire erupted at the Alfa transmission station in Al-Marah neighborhood, Hermel, Tuesday afternoon, leaving two people slightly injured and disrupting broadcast services in the city and surrounding villages, a security source confirmed for L’Orient Today’s Bekaa correspondent.
Civil Defense units from the towns of Hermel, Al-Qaa, and Al-Qusayr managed to extinguish the fire.
The entire structure housing the station was completely engulfed in flames. The injured were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The radio station's smoke and flames were visible throughout the city of Hermel.
Security sources told L’Orient Today’s correspondent that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction near the fuel oil tank on the house's roof, aggravated by high temperatures.
Hermel's security forces have launched an investigation into the causes of the fire.
Reporting contributed by Sara Abdallah