Pictures show the flames burning high and uncontrollably at the fuel farm. The flames were shooting so high - black smoke was clouding the sky... which you could see miles away.
Miami - There may be some delays for travelers today at Miami International Airport as fire investigators have shut down part of the fuel source for planes. This after an impressive fire at the fuel center Wednesday night.
Photo Gallery: Pictures of the fire at Miami International Airport
Pictures show the flames burning high and uncontrollably at the fuel farm. The flames were shooting so high - black smoke was clouding the sky...which you could see miles away.
The fuel farm houses six fuel tanks on airport property....each holding one Million gallons of fuel. A malfuction near one of the fuel pipe lines sparked the fire.
Eric Baum is with Miami Dade Fire Rescue: "firefighters working in an area with hundreds of thousands of gallons all around them -- trying to get foam on there to prevent the flames from coming up and in addition we are putting water on those other tanks to prevent them from boiling over."
The foam contained the fumes and the water kept the other tanks cool until the fire was out.
There were no injuries from the fire despite the fire being so significant.
Right now - the fuel farm and the pumps that supply fuel to the planes there in and out of the airport is shut down. Officials are on a backup plan.
"The only capability right now is to truck the fuel to the airport -- therefore it's going to have an impact on the on time performance of the aircraft", Jose Abreu, Airport Director.
"All the airlines are cooperating and they are topping off in other areas before coming here so they need less fuels when they come here," Joe Martinez, Miami -Dade Commissioner.
AP