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Human error may have caused the fire at MOL’s biggest Hungarian refinery
A fire broke out on Monday evening at MOL’s oil refinery in Százhalombatta, which was brought under control by Tuesday with the help of nearly one hundred firefighters. Although part of the facility had to be shut down due to the blaze, experts say Hungary’s fuel supply remains secure and no significant price increases are expected.
Experts Comment on the Százhalombatta Fire
The fire occurred in a unit that plays a key role in the preparation of motor fuels. According to MOL’s official statement, no open-flame work was carried out during the major maintenance or restart of the unit. However, internal sources claim that special operations were being performed at the site. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but energy expert Attila Holoda told Szeretlek Magyarország that human error is most often behind such industrial incidents.
External Causes Have Been Ruled Out
The expert ruled out sabotage or terrorism as possible causes but stressed that without the refinery’s automatic safety systems, the situation could have been far more serious. MOL’s refinery, the largest of its kind in Hungary, has its own specially trained firefighting unit, which immediately began extinguishing the blaze. Their efforts were supported by nearby fire brigades.
The damage assessment has not yet begun, as the facility first needs to cool down. Initial reports suggest that the fire started near a distillation tower, but the most critical equipment does not appear to have suffered permanent damage. If this is confirmed, repairs could be completed within a few weeks; however, in the case of more severe damage, the restoration could take up to six months.
MOL has a backup plan
MOL has announced that, if necessary, it may draw on Hungary’s strategic fuel reserves. These reserves currently cover 96 days’ worth of supply and include both refined fuel and crude oil, Blikk reports. Experts therefore do not expect any disruption to supply. The company also operates an integrated supply system with its refineries in Bratislava and Rijeka, meaning any shortfall in capacity can be compensated for from abroad.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated on social media that he had consulted with MOL’s leadership and the Minister of the Interior, assuring the public that Hungary’s fuel supply is not at risk and that the circumstances of the fire will be thoroughly investigated.
Experts note that the refinery’s safety and fire protection systems are of a high standard, but the incident highlights the need for further improvements in the future. In the global oil industry, automatic foam-based firefighting systems are now available that can handle similar emergencies more efficiently, though these technologies are not yet widely adopted in Europe.
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