Iraq fights oil blaze in the north

BAGHDAD, April 24 (Reuters) Iraqi firefighters are battling a large blaze at a domestic crude oil gathering centre in the north an Iraqi oil official said on Monday.

The fire which erupted yesterday, is burning between the northern oil centre of Kirkuk and Baiji, home to the country's biggest refinery.

''We need more resources and trucks to fight the fire but I believe it will come under control,'' the official told Reuters.

Sabotage bombs against oil pipelines have crippled the energy industry in northern Iraq, which is vital to Iraq's efforts to rebuild an economy shattered by insurgent violence.

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