Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the direction of a major energy installation in Fujairah, a strategic coastal city in the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday.

Videos circulating on social media showed dark plumes rising near the port area, which hosts one of the region’s most important oil terminals and plays a significant role in global energy trade.

Fire caused by falling debris, say officials

Authorities later clarified that the blaze was triggered by debris from a drone that had been intercepted by air defences.

In an online statement, officials said fragments from the destroyed drone fell to the ground and ignited a fire. However, they did not reveal the precise location where the debris landed.

The UAE Ministry of Defence also said that the country’s air defence systems were actively responding to ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones launched from Iran.

Incident follows US strike on Iranian oil hub

The development came shortly after Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out strikes targeting facilities on Kharg Island.

Located off Iran’s southern coast, Kharg Island is the backbone of the country’s oil export system and handles the vast majority of its crude shipments.

Trump also warned that additional attacks could target the island’s energy infrastructure.

Energy facilities increasingly targeted in war

Oil and gas installations across the region have become major targets since the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel escalated on February 28.

Earlier in the conflict, Israel struck fuel storage facilities in Tehran. In response, Iran launched attacks aimed at key energy infrastructure across Gulf nations.

Several large facilities have reportedly been targeted, including the Ras Tanura Refinery in Saudi Arabia, the Ras Laffan Industrial City gas complex in Qatar, and the Ruwais Refinery in the United Arab Emirates.

Global energy routes under pressure

The conflict has also severely affected maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical shipping lanes for global energy supplies.

Before the war, roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the narrow waterway. Disruptions in the route have added further strain on global energy markets and supply chains.