A vessel caught fire in the Ayeyawady River near Myanaung, Ayeyawady Region on September 21, leaving one missing and injuring three, according to the fire services department.

“We have been informed about a vessel caught fire in the river. When we arrived at the riverbank, we have to use a vessel to put out the fire. We also use a fireboat to distinguish the boat fire. When we arrived there, the vessel is drifted away. We are giving priority not to drift away to the shore where houses are located. We made the big powered schooner to move the vessel to Shartaw shoal. We finally put out the fire around 6:45 pm. A man went missing and we heard that he was been blown away by the explosion. We are still searching for him and the injured people are sent to the hospital. Their conditions are stable. The fire only destroyed oil barrels as the vessel is made of cast-iron,” said Ko Ko Thu, Staff Officer of Myanaung Township fire services department.

“The workers soldered the vessel rudder as it was bent. The sparks from the solder had set fire to the oil barrels. The fire is huge and they cut the rope which tied the vessel not to spread the fire. The vessel is drifted away in the river and we managed to put out the fire,” he said.

Police lodge the complaint against Section 285 of the Penal Code at Myanaung Township police station.