There were heightened tensions at Entebbe airport when fire broke out at the two jet fuel tank facilities today evening. 

Fred Bamwesige, the acting director-general Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) says the safety, security team and firefighters were dispatched to stop the fire from spreading to other jet fuel tanks.

According to Bamwesige, the extent of what has been damaged and the cause of the fire are yet to be determined. The jet fuel tanks are less than 50 metres from the passenger terminal and at least 60 metres from the airside.

As a result, such an incident can disrupt operations such as the movement of both passengers and aircraft in and out of the airport.

The airport currently has two jet fuel tanks and a hydrant. However, due to safety and security concerns, UCAA has set up four fuel tanks and a hydrant at least a kilometre away from the airside.

The new site for the fuel tanks is near Lake Victoria shores. The tanks can store 10 million litres at ago. Passengers were bemused by the lack of fire warning system at the airport - with authorities instead deploying an ambulance siren to warn people to stay clear. URN/The Observer