A huge explosion was heard in Dubai as a fire broke out on board a ship, causing an explosion that shook the city

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A container ship anchored in Dubai at one of the world’s largest ports caught fire late on Wednesday, authorities said, causing an explosion that sent tremors across the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates.

The flames set giant orange flames on a ship in the lively Jebel Ali port, the Middle East’s busiest, which lies on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula. The burning sent a shock wave through the city, shaking buildings and windows in neighborhoods 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the port.

There were no immediate reports of casualties at the port, which is also the busiest requesting port for US warships outside the United States. Early on Thursday, the Dubai government issued a statement saying that emergency services had succeeded in controlling the fire. Authorities posted footage on social media of firefighters submerging giant shipping containers. The glow of the fire appeared in the background as civil defense crews worked to contain the fire.

It was not immediately clear the extent of the damage to the sprawling port and the goods surrounding it. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Port officials said they were “taking all necessary measures to ensure the normal movement of ships without any disruption.”

Mona Al-Marri, Director-General of the Dubai Media Office, told the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV that this incident “could happen anywhere in the world” and that the Government Communications Office worked to issue statements quickly to avoid spreading rumors as a cause. The fire is under investigation.

At around 11:45pm, Dubai residents taped their phones from the tallest towers and frantically posted videos on social media showing a fireball lighting up the night sky.

Jebel Ali Port at the northern tip of Dubai is the largest man-made deep water port in the world and serves cargo from the Indian subcontinent, Africa and Asia.

Dubai-based DP World operates the port with four sprawling container terminals that can dock some of the world’s largest ships. The port is not only an important global shipping hub, but also a lifeline for Dubai and neighboring Emirates, serving as the entry point for essential imports.

DP World describes Jebel Ali Port as a “hub gateway” and “a vital link in the global trade network” linking eastern and western markets. The company did not immediately make any public statement about the explosion.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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