Explosion rocks Gulf gas facility in Puerto Rico

Police and FBI investigate graffiti with the message “Boom, fire, RIP, Gulf”

CATANO, Puerto Rico – Crews struggled to contain a huge, smoky fire at fuel storage facility outside Puerto Rico’s capital Friday following an early morning explosion that knocked out windows and shook the ground in the U.S. territory.

A plume of inky black smoke loomed over the island, forcing the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to divert plane traffic and keeping school children at home. Authorities warned that more tanks could explode before the fire is extinguished.

The cause of the explosion at the Caribbean Petroleum Corp. in the suburb of Bayamon was unknown.

Gov. Luis Fortuno said only one person has required treatment for smoke inhalation, and two others suffered minor injuries at the U.S. Army’s Fort Buchanan base adjacent to the fuel plant, which supplies Gulf gas stations across the island.

Several drivers were also hurt when the explosion shattered glass in their cars, but firefighters said all the plant workers were safe.

MSNBC