ISAF provides assistance during Mazar-e Sharif fire

Courtesy Photo | An International Security Assistance Force firefighter assesses the damage of a burned building in Mazari Sharif after assisting the Afghan firefighters with extinguishing the blaze, Jan. 15.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.16.2008

Courtesy Story

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

Headquarters International Security Assistance Force

KABUL, Afghanistan – International Security Assistance Force Regional Command North assisted local firefighters to stop a blaze in the capital of Balkh province, Jan. 15.

The Mazari Sharif Provincial Reconstruction Team dispatched an emergency response force to the scene when they received a request for assistance from the governor's office. The team consisted of three fire trucks, one 8,000-liter and two 3,5000-liter trucks, together with force protection, a mobile medical support team of the German medical center, an explosive ordinance disposal team and military police.

PRT firefighters arrived at a fully-developed fire in a local market 150 meters north of the blue mosque.

With the help of the three additional airfield fire trucks and a constant shuttle of water to the scene, the blaze was finally contained and cooled down. The local fire brigade was later able to keep the fire under control with their assets.

Together, the firefighters used around 70,000 to 80,000 liters of water to put out the fire. Around 55,000 liters was provided by ISAF troops.

The fire destroyed two buildings and damaged seven. There were no casualties among the citizens of Mazar-e Sharif.

Due to the combined efforts of the local firefighting force and ISAF firefighters, the fire was safely extinguished.

• Date Taken: 01.16.2008
• Date Posted: 01.16.2008 12:21
• Story ID: 15497
• Location: KABUL, AF