A fuel station located in Kelvin West industrial area in Bulawayo lost property valued at ZWL$51 000 after an underground diesel pump caught fire on Tuesday morning.
The cause of the accident is suspected to have been an electrical short circuit from a generator.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) acting chief fire officer, Linos Phiri confirmed the incident in a statement saying when the fire brigade arrived at Matabeleland Carriers premises a diesel pump, fuel issuing pipe and handle, two steel containers were well alight.
“Fire brigade observed that the fire started from a power generating generator electrical short-circuiting. The fire was transmitted to the pump through conduction by electrical cables and radiation aided by fuel fumes to the fuel issuing pump,” said Phiri.
He said a fuel attendant informed them that the generator developed some faults when they switched it on resulting in a full-fledged fire.
“The brigade observed other four spare overhead tanks, vehicles, machinery, haulage truck trailers and a bus that were at risk of a fire. The brigade also observed that there was no electricity when the fire occurred hence the use of a generator,” said Phiri.
He added that the fire fighters used one highly pressurized hose reel from water tender with augmented supply from water carrier one and B.A stage one to put out the fire.
Phiri said the fire brigade managed to save property with an estimated value of ZWL$4 199 000 out of the estimated value of ZWL$4 250 000.
