By Alieu Ceesay
A fire broke out Friday afternoon at the Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) premises in Kanifing, devastating more than ten decommissioned buses stored in the company’s “Outskirts” department, an area used to store irreparable vehicles, old tires, and other disused properties.
The blaze reportedly started during clearance operations at the site. GTSC officials stated that the company had contracted a firm to clear the overgrown area. Sources close to the company told local media that contractors allegedly set fire to dry grass as part of the clearing process, which quickly spread out of control and ignited the scrapped buses and surrounding materials.
“We gave a contract to one company to clear the place, so one of them just burnt the grass which eventually led to the fire outbreak,” an unnamed source told a local outlet. “We don’t want this place to be burned,” the source added, expressing frustration over the incident.
Firefighters from the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly and managed to bring the flames under control, preventing further spread to operational areas of the depot. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Some reports indicated that the affected buses—part of an older fleet acquired between 2013 and 2015—had been sold as scrap to a dealer, and the fire erupted while dismantling work was underway. One account attributed the ignition to sparks from a grinder used by scrap metal workers, rather than intentional grass burning.
The “Outskirts” department had been designated specifically for storing and eventually disposing of beyond-repair assets. During a visit by TAT Correspondent, thick smoke and flames were seen engulfing several buses and piles of used tires, highlighting the rapid intensity of the fire fueled by dry vegetation and combustible materials.
GTSC management has not yet released an official statement on potential losses or next steps, but the incident underscores ongoing challenges with site maintenance and contractor oversight at public transport facilities.
