Fear returns after a new fire breaks out in the Port of Beirut

Among Beirut residents, news of a fire in the port area sparked renewed fears of another disaster like the one that devastated a neighbourhood of the Lebanese capital just over a month ago.

Sep 19, 2020

By Pierre Balanian
At about 1.30pm on Sept 10, a thick column of dark gray smoke rose from the Port of Beirut, billowing in the sky over Beirut.

Among Beirut residents, news of a fire in the port area sparked renewed fears of another disaster like the one that devastated a neighbourhood of the Lebanese capital just over a month ago.

A few days ago, about three tonnes of ammonium nitrate were found in a warehouse away from the port; no one knows where they came from or who owns them.

This fire broke out in a section close to the area hit by the August explosions, in a warehouse holding tyres and motor oil for cars, this according to dock workers.

A Lebanese army source denied that the fire broke out in such a location. Instead, he said that some debris from last month’s blast caught fire. Firefighters are at the scene, busy preventing the flames from spreading.

Residents were not reassured by the sound of ambulances and fire lorries rushing towards the port. In the neighbourhoods close to the explosion, many people left their homes heading for safer open areas.

The army has closed the roads leading to the port. Unconfirmed reports reject the version of a controlled fire of the debris. Most people are worried about who is behind the fire and why contradictory news are being circulated.

Port director Bassem Kaissi criticised those who placed tyres next to motor oil, suggesting that it was not a controlled burning of tyres.

For him, the main concern is to prevent the flames from going beyond the Charles Helou Bridge, near houses already devastated by the explosion of 4 August, an area where several NGOs are still involved in cleaning and removal operations.

This fire comes a day after the British press published reports claiming that responsibility for the 4 August explosion falls almost certainly on Hezbollah. The self-styled "Party of God", British media claim, was in control of the ammonium nitrate that caused the explosion.

On Sept 9, the US also imposed new sanctions on two Lebanese politicians close to Hezbollah: Youssef Fenianos, a Christian former Public Works Minister and Ali Hassan Khalil, a Shia former Treasury Minister.

Goldman Sachs estimates that US$ 3 to US$ 5 billion will be needed to rebuild the port. The World Bank estimates are lower, putting the damages at US$ 580 and US$ 710 million dollars.

Many countries, including Kuwait and France, said they were ready to help in the reconstruction. However, the lack of trust in a government accused by many parties of corruption makes it difficult to quickly deliver on projects.––Asia News

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