Fire guts ship at Tin Can Island

Lagos – A fire explosion on board a ship servicing MRS Oil and Gas Tank Farm at the Tin-Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos occurred on Wednesday,  disrupting major operations at the depot.

Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told journalists that the explosion occurred while the barge was discharging petroleum products into the company’s tank farm.

*The burning berg

NEMA also confirmed that four persons sustained injuries as a result of the incident, adding that the generator house of the company was also affected.

Newsmen were barred from entering the premises, but witnesses said the fire lasted about an hour. Mr Marco Storori, the Executive Director, Shipping, Trading and Operations of MRS, said that three buildings were affected by the explosion.

Mrs Osibodu Bevlema, Assistant Director (Public Affairs), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), also confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with NAN. She said that the fire was brought under control with the assistance of fire service personnel from other tank farm operators like Oando and Folayiwo, within the Ibru jetty.

“I cannot tell you specifically the extent of damage or what led to the fire outbreak but I can confirm that we are still investigating the incident. “I want to assure you that the incident has been put under control and it will not affect the supply of products in any form,’’ Bevlema said.

The management of MRS Oil and Gas said that a statement would be issued on the incident after investigation.