Fire Outbreak at Cawthorne Channel 1 Barges Contained, No Casualties Reported

By Mustapha Salisu

A fire outbreak on a dry crude storage barge at Cawthorne Channel 1 in Rivers State was successfully contained on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, following a swift response from emergency teams and industry partners.

According to Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., the fire, which ignited around 14:10 hours on the BESTAF5 barge, quickly spread to other barges in the vicinity.

However, timely intervention ensured that the situation was brought under control without affecting flow station operations.

Most importantly, no casualties were recorded, and all personnel were confirmed safe.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) reaffirmed its commitment to safety, environmental protection, and operational integrity.