A fire in a fuel tank brought production at Ecuador's biggest oil refinery to a halt on Monday, state oil company Petroecuador said.

"The Esmeraldas refinery has stopped operation as a precaution for the security of the installations and personnel," Petroecuador said in a statement.

The operation has the capacity to refine 110,000 barrels per day.

No injuries were reported and all personnel at the refinery were safely evacuated, the company said.

Investigations into the cause and infrastructure damage are under way. (Reuters, AFP)