Thick black smoke billowed into the Kanifing skyline on Friday as flames tore through scrap buses parked at the Gambia Transport Service Corporation (GTSC) depot, forcing firefighters to battle an intense blaze amid dry vegetation and scattered tyres.

The fire, which broke out at the rear of the depot where decommissioned buses are stored, drew residents and commuters to a halt as fire and rescue officers scrambled to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to operational vehicles and nearby structures.

GTSC management said the fire was man-made and originated from actions taken by a contractor hired to fence the scrapyard.

Speaking at the scene, Ba Lamin Darboe, Deputy General Manager of the Gambia Transport Service Corporation, said the incident occurred during land-clearing works at the back of the depot.

“We were trying to secure the scrapyard by building a fence,” he said.

“A contractor was engaged for that purpose. In the process of clearing the area, dry grass was set alight, and because the area was extremely dry, the fire quickly spread.”

He stressed that GTSC did not authorise any burning within the depot and had warned the contractor against lighting fire in the area.

“We clearly instructed that no match should be lit here,” he said. “If that instruction was ignored, then the consequences are clear.”

Several scrap buses were affected by the fire, though GTSC said no active fleet vehicles were destroyed. Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control after a sustained operation.

While describing the loss as limited to scrap materials, Mr Darboe acknowledged the seriousness of the incident.

“Even though these buses were already in the scrapyard, any loss is still a loss,” he said. “This is not something we take lightly.”

Police officers were seen at the scene, and GTSC said investigations were underway.
“The matter is now with the police,” he said. “I cannot speak on legal action while investigations are ongoing.”

The Kanifing depot has witnessed fire outbreaks in the past, raising concerns about safety and long-term waste management at the scrapyard.

He said GTSC had taken steps to prevent a recurrence, including clearing vegetation and arranging for the removal of scrap materials.

“We had already contracted equipment and personnel to clear this area, and they were scheduled to begin work tomorrow,” he said.

“Unfortunately, this incident happened before that could take place.”

The fire scattered tyres and debris across the scrapyard, prompting questions about environmental risks and recycling.

Mr Darboe said GTSC lacks proper disposal and recycling facilities and must work with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to find lasting solutions.

“Recycling is a process, and we are aware of the environmental challenges,” he said. “We need to engage NEA to guide us, especially on the disposal of tyres.”

GTSC said it would tighten oversight of contractors and prioritise mechanical clearing methods over open burning.

“This is a scrapyard, and we do not burn anything here,” he said. “Going forward, we must rely on bulldozers and trucks, not fire.”

No injuries were reported, and investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing.

By Adama Makasuba