Pakistan: Chemical factory fire kills trapped workers
A massive blaze broke out at a multi-story chemical factory in Pakistan's financial hub Karachi, killing many workers who were trapped inside the building.
The multi-story factory building is located in the congested Mehran Town neighborhood
A fire at a chemical factory in the southern city of Karachi killed at least 16 people on Friday, Pakistani authorities said.
Local media footage showed thick smoke billowing out from the factory while firefighters tried to put out the flames.
The multi-story factory building is located in the congested Mehran Town neighborhood in the eastern part of the city.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
Many factory workers died after being trapped inside the building and couldn't find a way out, say authorities
Fire accidents not uncommon in Pakistan
Most windows of the factory were blocked, fire officials said. Many factory workers died after being trapped inside the building and couldn't find a way out.
"The factory had only one entry point, which was also being used as exit, and the roof exit was blocked, which badly hampered rescue efforts," Mubeen Ahmed, chief fire officer of the fire department, told local TV channel Geo.
Murtaza Wahab, a spokesman for the provincial government, told reporters that the firefighters had almost extinguished the blaze. He said an investigation into the cause of the accident was ongoing.
This is not the first such accident in Pakistan, where many factories operate without putting in place proper fire safety measures.
In September 2012, over 260 workers lost their lives in a fire accident at a textile manufacturing unit in what became the deadliest industrial blaze in the nation's history.
One person unaccounted for in Leamington Spa industrial estate fire
The area’s MP said the industrial estate blaze ‘may involve chemicals’
By Tom Ambrose@tomambrose89
One person is missing and homes were evacuated following a series of explosions and a huge fire in Leamington Spa on Friday.
A black plume of smoke could be seen billowing above the Leeson Polyurethanes factory in Juno Drive, for miles.
Locals were said to have vomited as a result of chemicals in the air, according to a report in The Sun.
Staff working at the town’s Rosalind Franklin Covid “mega-testing” lab next-door to Leeson Polyurethanes were also rushed to safety as a “precautionary measure”.
PA
One person is missing and homes were evacuated following a series of explosions and a huge fire in Leamington Spa on Friday.
A black plume of smoke could be seen billowing above the Leeson Polyurethanes factory in Juno Drive, for miles.
Locals were said to have vomited as a result of chemicals in the air, according to a report in The Sun.
Staff working at the town’s Rosalind Franklin Covid “mega-testing” lab next-door to Leeson Polyurethanes were also rushed to safety as a “precautionary measure”.
PAThe major blaze devastated a large warehouse on the industrial estate, causing black polystyrene to rain down on the streets below.
The air ambulance is at the scene but there have been no injuries reported so far.
Anyone living within 70 metres of the site are being urged to keep windows and doors closed.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it has two paramedic officers and a Hazardous Area Response Team at the scene.
Police said road closures are in place around the industrial unit.
The air ambulance is at the scene but there have been no injuries reported so far.
Anyone living within 70 metres of the site are being urged to keep windows and doors closed.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it has two paramedic officers and a Hazardous Area Response Team at the scene.
Police said road closures are in place around the industrial unit.
PA
There were reports of explosions so strong that it caused windows to rattle, while others said there were “strong chemical-like smells” and the sky “is dark with smoke and ash”.
Leamington Spa resident Stephen Morris, 48, told The Sun: “I've never seen anything like it in my life.
“We were in the garden earlier and heard what sounded like a bomb go off.
“It was like a loud pop. The next thing you know, there's a massive cloud of black smoke rising into the sky.
“It was like something from that film Independence Day. It's just lingering over the entire town now and I've never known so much police and fire activity here. They must have sent every appliance they have to it.
There were reports of explosions so strong that it caused windows to rattle, while others said there were “strong chemical-like smells” and the sky “is dark with smoke and ash”.
Leamington Spa resident Stephen Morris, 48, told The Sun: “I've never seen anything like it in my life.
“We were in the garden earlier and heard what sounded like a bomb go off.
“It was like a loud pop. The next thing you know, there's a massive cloud of black smoke rising into the sky.
“It was like something from that film Independence Day. It's just lingering over the entire town now and I've never known so much police and fire activity here. They must have sent every appliance they have to it.
PA
“I heard that people were getting sick as the smoke is toxic.”
One witness added: “Drove past and people have their heads in their hand and being sick. Air ambulance just arrived. Grim.”
Matt Western, the local MP, said that the fire and fumes may “involve chemicals” from the nearby plastics businesses.
He tweeted: “Massive fire on Tachbrook Industrial Estate.
“Extremely serious. Hearing it may involve chemicals from plastics business unit. Please close windows and stay indoors. Will update as I hear more.”
Public Health West Midlands have advised local residents to limit their time outdoors in the area as smoke and ash fill the air.
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