Juba on Friday evening witnessed shooting flames and black smoke when a fire outbreak gutted two ships at Juba River Port.
An unidentified cigarette smoker reportedly triggered the wild fire on the ships loaded with drums of diesel.
There were no casualties, but the incident caused panic, traffic jam and commotion in the city.
Fire Brigade team which rushed to the scene in the climax of the burning failed to put off the fire, saying the situation was beyond rescue.
This was not the first time Fire Brigade team failed in such incidents although Friday’s fire outbreak was the most alarming.