Doha: A private boat caught fire on the Doha corniche on Thursday afternoon following an electrical accident. No casualties were reported and the fire was promptly put out by a civil defence team after black plumes of smoke emerged from one of the city’s busiest spots.
The owner of the boat, who requested not to be named, told Gulf News that the fire started on the upper deck of his vessel, where electric repair works were being carried out.
“The wires caught fire from the short circuit in a generator and burned down everything on the upper level,” he said.
Several air conditioner units, generators and the upper deck were completely reduced to ash.
“I called civil defence and they showed up within five minutes so I am really thankful to them for preventing further damage,” the owner said.
The repair works, according to the owner, could cost up to QAR50,000 and last three to four months.
All vessels are required to be registered by law in Qatar and owners are required to acquire driving licenses by the Ministry of Interior’s Coasts and Border Security Department.
