Report

Subject:                    Rig Gutted in Fire

Date of Email report:    08/12/2010

Report Detail:

AN oil rig belonging to a Korean company at the Sharjah port was completely destroyed in a massive fire which broke out at the port on Saturday afternoon at around 1pm. 

Whereas the fire didn’t claim any casualties, one Filipino worker who was besides the rig at the time the accident happened, sustained minor injuries. Sources added that the injured man was immediately taken to Al Qasimi Hospital for treatment. Latest reports confirm that he is out of danger.

Disclosing details of the fire, Col. Wahid Al Serkal, director-general of the Sharjah Civil Defence said, “As soon as we were informed about the fire, we immediately rushed our men and fire tenders to the scene of the blaze. It was with the help of personnel from the Marine Defence force stationed at the port, that we were able to bring the fire on the rig under control and arrest its spread to the other ships that were anchored at the port.”

“It took us around one to one and a half hours to successfully bring the blaze under complete control and prevent it from wreaking further damage” he added.

In answer to a question as to the estimated material losses arising out of the fire, Col. Al Serkal said that it was too premature to put a figure on the total material losses suffered as a result of the blaze, but that would be known once investigations that have been initiated, are completed.

As to the cause of the fire, Col. Serkal said, “Again, at this stage, it is too early to determine the real cause of the fire. However, the matter is being investigated and evidences are being examined by the forensic laboratory of the Sharjah Police.”

Additional Documentation: