A cardboard factory in the Landhi Export Processing Zone caught fire Thursday night, after a five-storey garment factory adjacent to it caught ablaze that morning.
The cardboard factory caught fire at 11:30pm on Thursday night, with the blaze contained at around 4am on the same night after a five and a half hour struggle, aided by 14 fire tenders, two snorkels and three water bowsers. No casualties were reported.
Fire brigade personnel managed to control both fires, initiating the cooling process in both factories. The chief fire officer reported that the cooling and monitoring process will continue for five to six days in order to minimise the risk of recurrence or spread of the fires. Further, he stated that the fire in the cardboard factory may have begun due to negligence, however, the exact cause of the fires remains undetermined.
Meanwhile, in regards to fire safety protocols, he said that no NOC is taken from any fire officer, nor are SOPs considered, including the installation of fire extinguishers, while constructing a building anywhere in the city.
The officer noted that he had sent a letter to factories in industrial zones across the city, proposing the training of factory owners by fire brigade staff regarding emergency protocols, including teaching them how to work fire extinguishers. However, he stated that no one paid attention to the letter, nor did any factory owner reach out to fire brigade authorities in this regard.
