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Lightning Ignites Fire at Pajaritos Storage Terminal

The on-site evacuation and hours-long firefighting response highlight growing regulatory and public scrutiny after several operational incidents this year.

Overview

  • Pemex said a lightning or electrical storm struck a valve on the dome of an out-of-service tank at the Pajaritos storage terminal in Coatzacoalcos and started a fire.
  • Company firefighting and industrial safety teams activated emergency protocols and worked for hours to contain the blaze with support from municipal Protección Civil.
  • Pemex ordered an immediate evacuation of personnel at the facility and reported that no workers were injured.
  • Video of the fire circulated on social media while the company continued site monitoring and containment efforts after first responding.
  • The incident is being reported as a new entry in a string of 2026 operational problems for Pemex, a pattern that has prompted investigations, staff changes and closer oversight that could lead to more inspections or operational reviews.