Fuel boat explodes No one injured in Moruca incident
The vessel on fire near “Green Island “on Saturday afternoon
The vessel on fire near “Green Island “on Saturday afternoon

A BOAT laden with fuel exploded on Saturday afternoon at Santa Rosa, Moruca.
No injuries were reported.REPORTS are that sometime after 15:00hrs, fuel was being unloaded from the vessel downriver from the port of Kumaka when the fire started. The incident occurred in the vicinity of “Green Island “located a mile away from Kumaka.
Residents reported that gasoline was seen along the water prior to the explosion and persons noted that a leak may have started the fire. At least two persons were on board at the time and they reportedly ran for cover as the flames ignited.
According to reports, the owners of the vessel who are from the Pomeroon River, sought permission from the Santa Rosa Village Council last year to sell fuel at wholesale quantities in the area.
The boat would travel into the area and moor along the sides of the river bank as sales were arranged with locals.
Moruca resident Graham Atkinson told the Guyana Chronicle that he was in church at the time when he was told thick smoke was observed in the distance. He said when he saw the smoke he immediately suspected it was a fuel boat which had caught afire.
He said the village council had appealed to the operators of such boats to exercise extreme caution while conducting their trade in the area.
He said this was emphasized since the village was informed that the operators would usually cook on board the fuel vessels.
Meanwhile, following Saturday’s incident, residents expressed concern over the practice of fuel boats loading and offloading near the Kumaka Bridge.
Persons called on the village council to urge the boat operators to moor their vessels upriver since a conflagration could reduce the entire waterfront business area to ashes, the residents contended.

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