The Kenya Ports Authority has clarified circumstances that led to a fire incident at the port of Mombasa on Tuesday. 

In a statement, KPA says the fire incident was as a result of an explosion on MT Eastwind, a local coaster that was lying alongside a privately owned African Marine General Engineering Company (AMGECO) ship repair yard in Mombasa Port.

KPA says the master of the ship reported the explosion was caused by an electrical fault on the ship.

"KPA Harbour Tug Simba III that is equipped with firefighting capability contained the fire by 1235hrs nearly an hour after the incident was reported by the master of the ship to the KPA control tower. The instant response by the tugboat and fire brigade on the shore side ensured normalcy," KPA said.

During the incident, one person, a crew member, sustained minor injuries and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Mombasa.

KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto commended the crew of Tug Simba III for successfully containing the fire 

“The fire brigade continued to monitor the situation where they left at around 1450hrs after confirming the situation was normalised and safe,” Ruto said.

MT Eastwind II operates between Mombasa, Zanzibar and Tanga. Her last voyage was from Tanga where she had offloaded PMS product.

Currently the vessel is in ballast condition (empty).