Fire engulfs Dubai port after recent explosion

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

A container ship anchored at one of the world’s largest ports in Dubai caught fire after an explosion shook the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates.

The blaze sent up giant orange flames on a vessel at the crucial Jebel Ali Port, the busiest in the Middle East, which sits on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula – but authorities said the situation is under control.

There were no immediate reports of casualties at the port, which is also the busiest port of call for American warships outside of the US.

Early on Thursday, the Dubai government issued a statement saying that emergency services had brought the blaze under control.

The glow of the blaze was visible in the background as civil defence crews worked to contain the fire.

The extent of damage caused to the sprawling port and surrounding cargo was not immediately clear. The cause of the fire also was not immediately known.

Port officials said they were “taking all necessary measures to ensure that the normal movement of vessels continues without any disruption”.