Boat carrying fuel to Jonglei and Upper Nile states catches fire - Feb 7, 2014

The fire brigade of Central Equatoria had difficulties accessing firefighting equipment today as a boat was on fire at the port of Juba.

A boat carrying fuel to Jonglei and Upper Nile states caught fire and exploded this afternoon at the Juba port near Konyo-Konyo market.

There were no casualties.

An official said the fire, which started in one section of the boat, spread fast because of the containers of fuel the boat was carrying.

The Director of the Fire Brigade in Central Equatoria state, Colonel John Tomilian Daniel, told journalists that they were unable to find firefighting equipment in time to put off the fire.

“At 12:30 pm a message came to us at the fire brigade station in the port here,” Col Tomilian explained.

“We immediately formed a safety team to come and see to the fire; Unfortunately when we came, we found that it was a steamer burning.”

Colonel Tomilian said the boat was left to burn because the fire brigade could not fight off the fire with proper equipment.

“We were afraid to put it off because of the petrol; we didn’t want to put the fire off because if we pour water, it would fuel the fire,” he said.

“So, I called Juba International Airport for their truck to come because they have it and water at the same time, but they said there is a principle of using that truck, it can’t be released, because many planes sometimes land and if they release it, it will be a problem.”

The Deputy Director of Kator Payam, Alison Samuel, called on the government to make firefighting equipment available at the port to respond to future accidents.

“We, in our office in Kator Payam, will see to it that either the fire brigade should bring the special force here with fire extinguishers that are especially for fuel otherwise…this port should be closed down because it is causing damage and pollution in the area.”

Mr. Alison said the cause of the fire is not known.