100 workers escape death after massive fire in labour camp

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100 workers escape death after massive fire in labour camp

Ras Al Khaimah - High flames and heavy smoke were seen from a long distance and the firefighters rushed to the site in a record time, according to an informed source with the RAK Civil Defence department.

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Published: Wed 7 Sep 2016, 8:02 PM

Up to 100 blue collar workers escaped certain death after a massive fire broke out in their labour camp at the Gasidat area here in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. 
The Central Operations Room of the RAK Police was alerted of the inferno, which broke out behind the Traffic Impoundment Net of the RAK police around 1pm on Tuesday afternoon. 
High flames and heavy smoke were seen from a long distance and the firefighters rushed to the site in a record time, according to an informed source with the RAK Civil Defence department. 
"It was not an easy job as the fire broke out in different parts of the labour camp which, mainly wooden parts, which easily caught fire and spread on a large distance." 
What made the situation worse was that a big number of staff workers were staying in a nearby building, he added. "The 100 workers were liable to the sky rising flames and heavy smoke." 

Though the RAK firefighters interfered in a record time, the massive fire required more assistant teams from the entire staff firefighters of the main civil defence station, he underlined. 
"We were more concerned about the workers who were all evacuated safely and quickly." 
It took the firefighters more than three hours to evacuate the workers, cardoon the spot and prevent it from spreading out to the entire labour camp and nearby camps, he said. 
"The firefighters also needed some time to put out the fire with water and foam and cool down the place so as not to catch fire again." 
Luckily, no human casualties were reported, he pointed out. "However, we needed to use special cranes from the department of public works and service to remove the wastes and debris of the fire." 
Mohamed Arif, Pakistani, said they were shocked of the massive fire. "We were alerted about the inferno while we were asleep, and luckily we were all evacuated in time." 
"So far, no one knows the reason behind the inferno, but we have told that the legal bodies med concerned have initiated investigations on the same," said Mohamed Mustafa, Pakistani.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com 


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