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Heavy vehicles repair garage in Rashidiya gutted in fire

DUBAI — A massive fire that broke out at a heavy vehicles repair workshop in Rashidiya on Sunday night gutted some 40 trailers and cranes, resulting in estimated loss of millions of dirhams. However, no casualties were reported.

The fire at the Gazal workshop was contained quickly, with civil defence officials and fire engines from several fire stations in Dubai rushing to the site.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

The fire broke out at 8.55pm after the workshop had reportedly closed for the day.

The owner of the garage, a UAE national, was not available for comment.

Azhar, who works at Tadmur workshop located in the vicinity of the gutted garage, said the incident had made them all concerned about the safety measures in place at the garages.

He also suggested that the Municipality and other concerned authorities should comply with international specifications, ensuring that the workshops are not located close to each other. Besides, workshops should also have blocks or fire resistance doors or walls.

Azhar said the Dubai Civil Defence officials should conduct surprise visits to ensure that all workshops are complying with the safety measures.

Joe, who works for Abu Sami Mechanical, also in the same area, said, “we are shocked to see Al Ghazal, one of the largest workshops here, completely gutted.”

He added that the labourers living in these workshops should not be allowed to cook food inside the premises. Besides, the welding work should be done at separate places as flammable items like diesel and petrol are stored on the premises here.

The do’s and don’ts

DUBAI — The incident at the Gazal workshop has raised concerns about the safety measures in place at car workshops and garages in the emirate.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mahmoud Hamd, Director of Media and Public Relations at the Dubai Civil Defence, stressed that the owners of the car workshops should comply with the safety measures outlined by the body, and should keep fully functional fire extinguishers on the premises.

The staff should also be trained on how to use these fire extinguishers, he said, adding that the Dubai Civil Defence was always ready to extend training to the staff of such commercial outlets.

Aside from this, Hamd pointed out, the number of vehicles parked on the premises should be in line with the permissible number allowed under the licence of operation for the workshop. This number is in accordance with the size of the workshop.

Also, workshop owners should ensure that no equipment, wastes and scrap materials are dumped around the premises as it could pose an obstruction to the civil defence authorities in reaching the outlet in case of a fire.