SHARJAH: An inferno engulfed Sharjah’s Port Khalid early morning yesterday. No casualties were reported but two fire fighters were injured. Police said it is too early to estimate cost and extent of the damage. It took about 18 hours to extinguish the flames.
Sharjah Police Director Brig. Gen. Humaid Mohammed Al-Hudaidi, who was there at the scene, said an investigation has been launched into the incident.
Sharjah Police sources said the fire broke out at round 12.27 a.m. yesterday from the premises of the Emirates Oil Refinery Company (ERCO) depot in the port.
The blaze started just 200 meters away from the oil storage facility of Emirates Lube Oil Company. Firefighters saved the company’s oil storage facility, “otherwise it could be a huge disaster,” said a police officer who did not want to be named.
“We immediately evacuated the workers and vehicles from the affected area.
However, by that time, the blaze had raged the ERCO, that mainly produces sunflower oil which is easily flammable.” police said in a statement.
Even yesterday evening, skies in Sharjah and Dubai were filled with thick black clouds of smoke as firefighters from Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Umm Al-Quwain continued their mission.
“We were watching the entire action from 2 a.m. onwards,” said Tamkeen, a housewife who resides near the affected area.
“It could be disastrous if the fire had touched Emirates Lube’s oil storage, but the firefighters have done a great job and saved the entire area.”
Explosions could be heard coming from the port, said Abdul Razak, another resident in the area.
Al-Hudaidi urged owners of factories and enterprises to adhere with security and safety procedures related to the storage facilities.
Many top-ranked officials from Sharjah’s Interior Ministry and Ports and Customs were present in the affected area.
Port Khalid also witnessed a massive fire on Aug. 18, 2007.
