Fire erupts in Sudanese capital near oil installations

February 5, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — A large fire broke out on Thursday on the outskirts of the Sudanese capital Khartoum in an industrial area near oil storage depots and electrical installations.

A large column of smoke filled the sky of Khartoum from a fire in the Greet-Belt, around 15 km south of Khartoum. The fire broke out after 02:00pm local time.

Mohamed Naguib Al-Tayeb Director-General of police forces said in a press statement that firefighters were able to contain the blaze and extinguish the flames.

He also added that they had taken the necessary precautions to prevent the fire from reaching some of the factories and the strategic locations.

He added there were no losses of life and property. However he didn’t mention the cause of the fire or the names of the owners the damaged industrial buildings.

Al Tabyeb further said that a committee had been formed to investigate the cause of the conflagration.

(ST)