Herat fire causes $1m loss to gas companies

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Local officials on Saturday said two liquefied gas companies suffered $1 million loss in a fire outbreak in this capital city of western Herat province.

ZaherShah Tokhi, head of gas importers’ union in Herat, said a tanker of liquefied gas caught fire while unloading gas to a company in KamarKulagh area of Herat city causing financial losses to two gas companies in the area.

He explained 15 to 20 empty tankers, facilities of two companies and a gas reservoir were destroyed in the incident.

He added the fire broke out when a tanker was unloading gas to retailers causing destruction of a fuel reservoir and about 15-20 empty tankers. “The damage is estimated to be around $1million”.

Farhad Jilani, spokesman of Herat governor, said carelessness and disobeying safety tips while unloading gas were the causes behind the fire and said the fire was extinguished as firefighters reached the area, preventing more damage.

A few years ago, similar fire erupted in the same area in multiple gas companies causing dozens of deaths.

Hr/ma