A major pipeline explosion in Leon, central Mexico, which was reportedly sparked during illegal fuel extraction, caused a massive blaze on Saturday night.

The Leon Fire Department shared photographs of the huge fire on social media, urging people to stay away from the area.

#Entérate Acudimos a atender reporte de incendio en camino a Providencia y bulevar Timoteo Lozano.Cede el paso de unidades de emergencia y por tu seguridad evita la zona. 🚒 pic.twitter.com/xG1jgIpYy9 — Bomberos de León (@BomberosdeLeon) April 7, 2019 Tu seguridad es nuestra prioridad.Trabajamos de manera coordinada con @vialidad_leon, @Proteccion_leon y Policía para sofocar incendio registrado en camino a Providencia y bulevar Timoteo Lozano. 🚒 pic.twitter.com/DYYmDefuAE — Bomberos de León (@BomberosdeLeon) April 7, 2019 A las 22:28 horas de este sábado se recibió reporte de explosión en la zona sur del municipio.El incidente es en ductos de Pemex, @Proteccion_leon, @vialidad_leon y @BomberosdeLeon trabajan en el lugar, a la espera del arribo de personal de Seguridad Física de @Pemex. pic.twitter.com/NE5aoc8znG — Mi Ciudad Segura (@Seguridad_Leon) April 7, 2019

According to local media reports, people from Providencia and Timoteo were trying to illicitly extract fuel from the Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) pipeline when the explosion occurred.

READ MORE: Massive BLAST rocks Paris building as firefighters struggle with monster blaze (VIDEOS)

Municipal Police secured the perimeter and the pipeline valve was turned off. Meanwhile, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) turned off the electricity to “avoid a tragedy,” Infobae reports, and part of the Timoteo Lozano Boulevard was closed to vehicles.

The nearby CEDIS OXXO company was evacuated as a precaution, and staff reported hearing an explosion before the lights went out. They said the flames were about 15 meters high.

Firefighters managed to control the blaze, and no casualties have been reported. “Thanks to the timely citizens’ report and the prompt attention and coordination of the emergency services, no people were injured in the explosion,” Leon firefighters said.

Like this story? Share it with a friend!