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Fire engulfs fuel depot in Brazil

A huge fire ripped through fuel storage tanks outside Rio de Janeiro, May 24, reportedly leaving one person dead and seven others injured.

The fire ignited in the storage area of fuel and lubricant distributor, Petrogold, in Duque de Caxias.

It took firefighters four hours to tame the flames which jumped 50 metres into the Rio skyline.

Duque de Caxias city hall confirmed that the victim was a 43 year-old man who worked at the site. Seven others had also been admitted to Adao Pereira Nunes Hospital.

According to The Telegraph, officials with the state of Rio de Janeiro said Petrogold was operating at the site without an environmental licence and had already been raided by federal police.

The site, the report read, was only operating as the case was being appealed in court.

Duque de Caxias mayor, Alexandre Cardoso, has ordered an investigation to determine the possible cause of the incident.

“It is unacceptable to locate a time bomb in places where people live and study,” Mr Cardoso said.

Rio de Janeiro is gearing up for the Confederations Cup later this month.

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