KUAJOK – Authorities in Kuajok, the capital of South Sudan’s Warrap State, are holding two young men accused of attempting to set fire to a fuel station on Thursday evening.
The incident occurred around 8:00 PM at the Esther Costa Fuel Station and was thwarted after a security guard noticed the suspicious activity and quickly alerted the police.
According to officials from the Civil Defence Department, the suspects were found in possession of a matchbox and allegedly attempted to ignite fuel at the site.
Fire Safety Officer Kondok Madut Aloor said the pair were seen striking matches in a manner that suggested they intended to start a fire, although their exact motive remains unknown.
“We are trying to investigate why they wanted to burn the fuel station. This would have been disastrous for people living in and around the area,” Madut said.
He noted that the densely populated neighbourhood surrounding the station could have suffered severe loss of life, injuries, and property damage had the alleged attempt succeeded.
“As many people are living close to the station, it would have burst all over their residential areas and harmed people. It could have led to the deaths of many people and animals, as the town is congested. We are going to ascertain the motive of the boys,” he added.
The incident comes amid a rise in fire-related cases in Warrap State, many of which have been linked to negligence or intentional acts. Last week, children reportedly set shelters and shops ablaze at Kuajok Market, causing substantial losses to vendors and residents.
In a related development, authorities in Aweil North County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have detained a woman accused of burning down her own house following a heated dispute with her husband. Investigations are ongoing, and officials say all household items were destroyed in the blaze.
The Civil Defence Department continues to urge the public to exercise caution, especially during the dry season when fire outbreaks are more frequent. Authorities also warn against taking the law into one’s own hands and call on residents to report suspicious activities to prevent similar incidents.
