March 3 (Reuters) - An oil refinery in the Russian city

of Ufa was on fire, the state RIA news agency reported on

Monday, citing the regional branch of Russia's emergency

ministry.

"There is no threat to residents of nearby areas," RIA

cited the emergency ministry as saying. It added that necessary

personnel and equipment were sent to monitor the air quality.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

Several Russian Telegram channels, including the SHOT news

channel, reported the fire followed an explosion at the

refinery. Reuters could not independently verify the reports.