Fuel containers fire extinguished

Posted: Monday, November 3, 2014. 7:23 pm CST.

Shipyard fire

Monday, November 3, 2014. ORANGE WALK BUREAU Reporting: A major disaster was averted today in Shipyard community, Orange Walk, after a couple of large capacity fuel tanks caught on fire this morning.

The incident happened in Camp 5 and reports from Orange Walk say that the fire broke out around 9 am.

Shipyard fire

On arrival at the compound owned by BelFuel Company Limited, fire officials observed two small containers – 600 gallons capacity – on fire.

Shortly thereafter, the fire spread to a third container with a ten thousand gallon capacity.

Fuel container fire, Shipyard

With the ever present dangers of the much larger containers, believed to have contained diesel fuel, could explode, much energy was expended in keeping those containers cool to avoid a further spread.

Fire under control

After three hours of battling the flames and clouds of smoke, fire officials with the help of members of the Mennonite community, were able to bring the fire under control and had it fully extinguished around 1:30 pm on Monday.

Fire truck at open water source

Thankfully there was a nearby open source where a fire truck was able to drop a hose to feed the streams battling the flame.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a faulty electrical line attached to one of the 600 gallon containers. The estimated cost of damage from today’s fire is $25,000.

None of the containers or their contents was insured.

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