The tanker at Kenyan-owned HASS petroleum station was transferring 30,000 litres of petrol into a container when the generator overheated and caught fire, according to company acting supervisor Laurence Enosa.

Leaping through the plastic transfer piping, the fire erupted on top of the container and spread to two others containing diesel and kerosene. No casualties were reported, but the truck and containers were destroyed.

"We were unable to put it (the fire) out with our small ... fire extinguishers, and the truck at the same time caught ... fire and burned to ashes," Mr. Enosa said.

As HASS was the largest fuel company in Yambio, Mr. Enosa said its bigger customers, such as Kirinyaga Road Construction, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Catholic Relief Service and World Vision, MTN telecommunications company and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), were "likely to face some difficulties in getting fuel."

HASS Petroleum's manger was unavailable for comment on how the company would manage the shortage. But Mr. Enosa said its Juba branch would arrange within a week to supply its customers, as efforts were made to complete a permanent station in Yambio in two to three months' time.

Other dealers sell petroleum in Yambio, but they are small-scale compared to HASS and unable to provide a continuous supply. As a result, the petrol price has soared from 3.5 SDG ($1.40) per litreto as much as 6 SDG ($2.40) in some areas.

Motorcyclists carrying passengers in the town known as boda-boda drivers have doubled their fares from 2 SDG ($.80) to 4 SDG or have simply packed up and left town due to lack of petrol.

The fuel problem may hamper some organizations, including the UNHCR, from delivering vital humanitarian aid. "If the situation is not rescued immediately, it may put us in a difficult position of delivering food to thousands affected ... by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) attacks," said UNHCR Yambio Head of Office Farhat Jabee.

Kirinyaga Road Construction Company may use up the small amount of fuel it had on hand the day of the fire by the end of August, according to site engineer Rulence Kahola. "Due to the nature of our job, we normally use over 800 liters of fuel a day. I don't think the company will be able to get this (amount) ... from businessmen around."

World Vision, which works with children, families and communities in overcoming poverty, said that a lack of fuel would limit its activities. "With the little (fuel) we have, I believe we shall be able to push on for a short period, but not for many weeks ahead," said the NGO's programme manager, Sapeie Ojabo.