At least eight people were killed and 84 injured on Monday morning in an explosion at an oil terminal in Guinea’s capital Conakry, a police official said, Reuters and Agerpres reported.

The balance is preliminary, the source quotes, adding that work is underway to contain the fire.

An explosion at an oil terminal rocked the Calum administrative district in central Conakry, shattering the windows of several nearby buildings and forcing hundreds of people to flee the area, an eyewitness quoted by Reuters said.

The raging fire and thick black smoke could be seen for several kilometers as several fire engines headed towards the blast site, accompanied by the military and police.

Schools were closed on Monday and workers were asked to stay at home after a fire broke out at the country’s main fuel depot in Conakry, AFP reported, citing Guinea’s government.

“Employees of the public and private sectors are invited to stay at home,” and “public and private schools will be closed,” the government announced in a statement.

The fire of “unknown origin” broke out at night, and “its scale and consequences may have a direct impact on the population,” the quoted source also specified, according to AFP.