TotalfinaElf closes Antwerp unit after fire

LONDON - TotalfinaElf, the European oil company, has reported a fire at its 288,000 barrel per day refinery in Antwerp resulting in the closure of its vacuum distillation unit for several days. A spokeswoman said the overall impact on the plant's production was minimal as the rest of the refinery has continued to operate as normal. The fire started in the vacuum distillation unit after a heavy fuel leak but it was brought under control within half an hour.