Thursday, September 2, 2010

Scores of firefighters tackle huge blaze at industrial estate that leaves factories gutted

Firefighters were drafted in from three emirates to tackle a huge blaze at a factory complex yesterday that caused millions of dirhams of damage.

The inferno raged throughout the day as firefighting crews tried to bring it under control at Sharjah Industrial Area No 15. Thick smoke carpeted the area and could be seen for kilometres as the fire spread to adjoining warehouses. At least five buildings were reduced to ashes, including a clothing warehouse, a printing press and a juice store.

The fire broke out at the factory at around 9.45am and swiftly spread, destroying stored goods, office furniture, clothes and machinery.

Firefighters from Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain battled the inferno using thousands of gallons of water brought into the area with a fleet of trucks. Roads close to the site were cordoned off as military personnel and police were deployed to keep people away from the scene. Labour camps close to the blaze were evacuated as a precaution.

 “It was a very large fire. Our personnel worked extremely hard to control it. It spread to other warehouses because of the wind and the intensity of the flames,” said Colonel Waheed Al Serkal, Director of Sharjah Civil Defence, who attended the scene. He said that the fire started at Anchor Allied Factory, which makes adhesives, spray paint and tape. “Our department received a call between 9.30am and 9.45am and we were alerted to the fire. We swiftly dispatched our officers to control it and rescue any trapped workers.“Two workers sustained minor injuries during the incident and  investigations are now being carried out to find the cause,” he said.