A midday in the engine room of the MV Barima in Port Kaituma has grounded the ferry vessel as an investigation has been launched into the source of the fire.
In a statement from the Transport and Harbours Department, it was confirmed that the fire was first spotted in the engine room of the vessel, quickly engulfing the rest of the vessel in heavy smoke.
It is suspected that a gas pump that exploded was responsible for the blaze.
The fire was brought under control with the help of residents and the crew of the vessel.
The Transport and Harbours Department said that as a matter of urgency, its officials along with officials from the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Home Affairs are probing the incident to ascertain the extent of the damage to the vessel.
External engineers are also being engaged to assist with the investigation.
The vessel was being loaded for a trip to Georgetown at the time of the incident.
It left Georgetown on Saturday and sailed to the Port Kaituma area without incident, according to the Transport and Harbours Department.
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