May 2 (AP) – Afghan officials say a fire engulfed several tanker trucks on the northern edge of the Afghan capital late May 1 local time, injuring at least 10 people and plunging much of the city into darkness.
The fire reportedly coincided with the official start of the final withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops, and it was not immediately clear whether the accident was accidental or deliberate. Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said on May 2nd that the incident was under investigation.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arians said the fire started when a tanker truck caught fire and several nearby tanker trucks were quickly engulfed, with huge flames and billowing smoke billowing into the night sky, the report said. In addition, some houses in the area were damaged, several houses were destroyed, power lines were cut off and most of the capital was without power.
