Kemari oil terminal fire still out of control

KARACHI: Fire was still raging in Kemari oil terminal, more than 22 hours after it broke out claiming two lives on Saturday.

Huge flames were still seen in an oil depot of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) in Kemari harbour. Fire brigade officials said the fire could not be brought under control yesterday.

As many as 15 fire tenders and three snorkels were on the scene, trying to extinguish the blaze. The staff of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) was monitoring the situation.

Two labourers were killed yesterday following a blast in the depot’s chemical tank. Rescue officials said five other labourers suffered burn injuries.

Eyewitnesses said a tank filled with liquid methanol chemical exploded when dozens of labourers were working at the site.

Unlike petroleum fires, methanol fires can be extinguished with plain water. A methanol-based fire burns invisibly, unlike gasoline, which burns with a visible flame.  – Samaa