The trailer carrying 41,500 cubic metres of Benzine was headed to Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Commanding Officer of the Fire and Rescue Brigade, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jean Baptiste Seminega, said the trailer caught fire at about 3pm.

"At about 3pm, the trailer which was approaching Gisenyi town caught fire. Fire started in one of the tyres and the driver called Mustapha Tom was the only person on board. Residents were quick to call our fire and rescue unit in Gisenyi, the fire truck was immediately deployed and they successfully managed to extinguish the trailer. Only some of the tyres were burnt," ACP Seminega said.

He thanked the residents, who were quick to call the Police for immediate response.

"We managed to put out fire before spreading because we were called in in real time. It could have been a disaster if the fire had entered the tank."

The driver, Mustapha thanked Rwanda National Police for the quick response adding that when the tyres caught fire, he had no hope that neither the trailer nor the benzine would be saved.

Lives, he feared, would also be lost due to this dangerous flammable product.

ACP Seminega urged the general public to always call the Police and Fire and Rescue Brigade in particular as soon as possible so as to intervene in real time.

Important Contacts in case of fire:

111 Fire and rescue

112 Emergency

0788311224: Northern region, 0788311024: Western region, 0788311023: Southern region, 0788311449: Eastern region

0788311025

0788380615

0788311120

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Fire and Rescue Brigade, on Thursday March 4, managed to extinguish a trailer, which caught fire in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District. Photo RNP