August 17, 2002	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Saani 7, 1423

KABUL, August 16: A huge fire broke out on Friday at a timber yard close to a fuel market in the northern part of Kabul, police and witnesses said.

Flames could be seen from the inferno at Tahya Maskan as far as eight kilometres away.

Fire crews rushed to the scene, while police with sticks beat back onlookers and timber merchants attempting to salvage stocks from the yard.

People nearby also frantically rolled barrels of petrol and diesel fuel to safety.

“Our first task is to bring the fire under control, then we can determine its cause. There have been no injuries so far,” local police commander General Fatah said.

PARADE SCRAPPED: The Afghan military will not participate in this year’s independence day celebrations in Kabul for financial reasons, a spokesman from the office of President Hamid Karzai said on Friday.

“There will be a parade, but the military will not be taking part for reasons of logistics and expense,” Haider Akbar said.

Akbar denied the decision had been taken for security reasons, despite recent claims of a foiled bomb plot against senior ministers.

Local media earlier reported that the military’s involvement had been cancelled due to poor security.

But Akbar said other activities would still be held to mark the date.

Afghanistan celebrates its independence day on Aug 19.—AFP