Thanks to all of you, you were of great assistance. Its really a very interresting case that all of us can learn from it BUT unfortunately it happened in Lebanon were nobody cares. What i am going to say might be very dangerous for my safety but it is the truth that i learned today.

The owner of the station is a VIP. So, in spite that the Civil defense Expert didn't arrive to any issue about the cause of this fire thowner have got the permission to move away the tanks and the debris. And since I have been designated from an Insurance company not from the court i do not have the right to delay this decision. Unfortunately I won't be able to take any sample for testing to know what is the product they are adding to the diesel.

I met today with someone who told me the truth: They were filling the tank by gravity from a truck, an employee was standing near the filling hole and suddenly an explosion (or deflagration) occured and throw the guy around five meters from the top of the tank, then a huge explosion occured, the base of the tank ruptured and 10000 liters of diesel spreaded burning and engulfing another tank and five trucks nearby all filled with diesel. The guy was not hurt because the deflagration pushed him to the small hill not between the storage tank and the trucks. I am quite sure that the diesel is mixed with a low flash point liquid and I think that the cause might be static electricity.

I heard also from another guy that 10 days before this incident a truck parked near the storage tank and when the driver opened the filling cap a flash fire occured for a while.

This incident caused severe damages to building nearby. I hope to be designated to continue this investigation.

Since I couldn't test a sample of the diesel my report about this fire to the insurance will be a SUSPICIOUS FIRE after explaining of course that diesel is a high flash point liquid and cannot explode without being heated

Will keep you informed of any news and thanks again for your highly appreciated assistance

Georges T. Kawkabany
Sworn Fire Investigator & Fire Fighting Expert at the Lebanese Courts
Fire Protection Consultant
Beirut-Lebanon