DUBAI // A major clean-up operation was under way today after a blaze badly damaged oil and chemical warehouses in the Al Quoz industrial area.
The fire started at around 2.30am yesterday at a property operated by United Foods Company.
Four branches of Dubai Civil Defence were called to the scene, near Interchange 2. Fire crews on retractable hydraulic arms were still dousing the flames with a mixture of water and foam almost eight hours later.
Plumes of black smoke could be seen rising over Dubai from first light. Hours later, residual white smoke rose from the facility's metal corrugated roof that had melted in the heat.
A manager at United Foods Company, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the blaze began in a warehouse that contained raw materials and then spread to an adjacent facility that stored "highly combustible products". The factory produces Aseel ghee, Safi oil, margarine, and Nawar cheese and butter.
He estimated the damages could run into millions of dirhams. Although speculating that the cause could have been an electrical short, he said officials at the company were waiting for Dubai Police to conclude their investigation into the cause.
Capt Ahmed al Kindi, of the Al Quoz branch of Dubai Civil Defence, said there were no injuries because the factory was closed when the fire began.
"We got a call about the fire about 2.30, we were here all night, but we have stopped it," he said.
A total of 20 firemen were involved in fighting the fire. Mr Kindi said the cause would be known after police completed their investigation. Firemen used a mixture of water and foam to douse the flames. "We have to use foam to put out the fire because of the oil," said Mr Kindi.
He said their strategy was to contain the fire in the warehouse so that it would not spread to nearby warehouses.
hnaylor@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The National's picks
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5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
