HERAT CITY (SW) – Fire eruption at a petroleum gas storage facility in Herat has caused millions wroth of losses, said officials on Saturday.
The fire broke out while gas was being transferred from a shipment vehicle to the storage facility in the Kamar Kalagh area north of Herat city. Zahir Shah Tokhi, director of the Gas Importers ‘Association in Herat, said the fire destroyed at least three gas carrying tankers and a gas depot. According to him, the initial assessment showed that about one million dollars has been lost in the accident.
Mohammad Rafi Rahmani, executive director of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, blamed the lack of standard facilities and safety systems at the gas trading companies for the incident. He said the government’s indifference was worrying.
Haji Saeed Siddiqui, deputy director of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, who was also injured in the incident, said the two gas tankers that caught fire were parked in the area due to road closures.
Herat governor’s spokesman Jilani Farhad blamed negligence in transferring the gas and neglecting safety measures for the blaze, adding that more damage had been averted with the arrival of firefighters. According to him, one person was injured in the incident and an assessment of the damage was underway.
Two months ago, a massive fire broke out at the Islam Qala customs office in Herat.
ENDS
