No vessel, port facilities destroyed in Lagos Port fire outbreak — Operator

Sifax Group, the parent company of Ports and Cargo Handling Services (P&CHS), operators of Terminal C of the Tin-Can Island Port, has refuted claims that port facilities and a vessel was destroyed in the fire inferno that razed a shore crane at the port terminal recently.

The operator also stated that the fire was immediately put out within minutes after the equipment went up in flames.

In a statement signed by the spokesman of Sifax Group, Olumuyiwa Akande, the firm stated that operations have since resumed at the port terminal following the containment of the fire.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to some misleading reports in the press after a fire incident at a terminal operated by one of our subsidiaries, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.

“Here are the facts about the fire incident: At about 12:30 pm on Thursday, July 20, one of our equipment, a shore crane, developed a sudden technical fault and before anything could be done to fix it, it went up in flames.

“There was a quick response from all stakeholders which resulted in putting out the fire as soon as possible, even though substantial damage was done to the equipment.

“Normalcy was returned to the terminal after containing the fire and our operations resumed.

“The vessel at berth as at the time of the incident was not affected by the fire while containers, both those on board the vessel as well as other consignments at the terminal, were not affected also.

“There was no loss of life, as the operator working on the affected equipment was safely rescued without any injury.

“The said equipment as well as all other equipment and facilities at the terminal are all insured.

“As a company, we are committed to operational excellence in a safe and secure environment for the collective good of all our stakeholders – customers, agents, staff, regulators and the general public.

“We urge the public to disregard any sensational reports on the incident and stay with the facts as stated here.”