Gulf | Oman
Major blaze destroys labour camp in Muscat
Labour accommodation for around 350 workers was destroyed in a major blaze in the Ghala Industrial Area of Muscat on Tuesday evening
- Staff Report
- Published: 12:00 September 7, 2011
Muscat: Labour accommodation for around 350 workers was destroyed in a major blaze in the Ghala Industrial Area of Muscat on Tuesday evening.
No one was injured in the inferno which engulfed dozens of portacabins at the sprawling labour camp of the well-known Omani contracting firm Hasan Juma Backer Trading and Contracting LLC.
The blaze sent up massive columns of smoke that were visible for several kilometres all around Ghala.
Smouldering wreck
Despite the efforts of several fire tenders, the conflagration quickly engulfed the wooden portacabins, reducing the camp to a smouldering wreck within two hours.
Its occupants, who are mostly workers from Asian countries, were at work at various construction sites at the time, and were thus safe.
However, nearly all of them lost their personal effects, including clothes, TV sets, documents, and other valuables.
The cause of the fire is to be ascertained although company officials suspect a short circuit.
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