Massive fire breaks out at a chemical factory in Dubai

Firefighters battled a blaze at a chemical factory from yesterday afternoon well into the evening. The trading and manufacturing company's warehouse, in phase two of Dubai Investments Park, is believed to house industrial and food chemicals. "The fire broke out at our warehouse where chemicals are kept," said an official at the company. "People were working inside the warehouse after lunch when it broke out and spread in seconds." No casualties were reported. The area was cordoned off and firefighters remained at the scene late yesterday evening. Brigadier Ahmed Al Sayegh, the assistant general manager at Dubai Civil Defence Department, said firefighters from four different stations were dispatched at 3pm. Some would remain overnight to monitor the site. "Everything was under control," he said. "We are now referring it to the Dubai Police for further investigation." Forensic investigators will visit the site today to try to establish the cause, added Mr Al Sayegh. Thick, black smoke enveloped the area and staff at companies in the vicinity could see flames from several kilometres away. "The smoke is visible from where we are," said a worker at a nearby restaurant. THENATIONAL .