A large fire broke out today after the explosion of an oil pipeline in western Ukraine, in which three people were injured, emergency services said.

"Today at 17:00 (local time), near the village of Strimba, in the Nadvirna district, an oil pipeline (with a diameter of 150 millimeters) burst," the National Emergency Service of Ukraine said, adding that the oil had spilled onto the surface . of 100 square meters.

For unknown reasons, a fire broke out on the spot, and local media reports that there was a strong explosion.

Images posted on social media, whose authenticity could not be verified by AFP, show thick clouds of black smoke over what appears to be a village.

"Rescuers have been dispatched to the scene," the service said.

The site of the fire is located several hundred kilometers from the first battle line with the Russian forces, in the eastern part of Ukraine.