Jordan: Ship laden with wood catches fire while unloading in Red Sea port

AMMAN, Jordan – A spokesman for the Jordanian body that handles firefighting says a Norwegian-flagged ship laden with wood has caught fire while unloading in the Red Sea port of Aqaba.

Civil Defense spokesman Brig. Farid Sharaa says the reason for Tuesday's blaze is being investigated, but he doubts it is arson.

He says no casualties or injuries were reported, and that Jordanian firefighters and the crew were close to putting out the fire.

He says the vessel was laden with 20,000 tons of wood.

No other details were immediately available.

Aqaba is Jordan's sole sea outlet and one of the main routes for imports.