OIL REFINERY FIRE IN WAKE OF JAPAN QUAKE

Japan: Earthquake triggers oil refinery fire
March 11, 2011 (AP via NDTV)

"Fires triggered by a massive quake…are burning out of control up and down the coast, including one at an oil refinery in Ichinara City, Chiba prefecture.

"Despite firefighters' efforts to douse the flames, fires were still raging at the Cosmo refinery in the early evening, lighting the sky and sending plumes of black smoke in the air as the inferno spread to the surrounding area…"

The fire (from NDTV - click to enlarge)

"Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency says at least 17 people have died in the quake and…[the subsequent] 13-foot (4-meter) tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland.

"The US Geological Survey said the quake was a magnitude 8.9, while Japan's meteorological agency measured it at 8.8…and was followed by more than 20 aftershocks, including several at least 6.3, the size of the quake that struck New Zealand recently."