Kandahar fuel market blaze causes huge financial losses

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): A fire has broken out in the main fuel market in southern Kandahar province, resulting in heavy financial losses, officials say.

The blaze erupted in the market on the Kabul-Kandahar highway east of the provincial capital at 7:00pm yesterday.

The governor’s house said firefighters rushed to the area and extinguished the fire. Governor Mullah Shirin Akhund also visited the site.

The governor’s house tweeted late on Saturday, 205th Badr Corps. Fire Department and airport personnel reached the site to put out the fire and prevent life and financial losses.

Officials have not yet given details of the fuel loss. However, they confirmed the blaze had caused heavy financial losses.

Mohammad Wali, a fuel seller, told Pajhwok Afghan News the blaze lasted about an hour. It was extinguished by firefighters before a lot of stocks were saved.

According to him, three people were burnt and injured in the fire but health condition is stable.

The Kandahar fuel market, having ample reserves, receives dozens of tankers full with fuel on a daily basis.

In addition to the storage and transportation of oil to other provinces from the area, low-quality fuel is also refined in the market.

kk/mud