Fire causes commuter chaos on Emirates Road

Sharjah: Motorists were stuck in gridlocked traffic throughout the day yesterday as a result of the fire that broke out at National Paints.

The fire broke out at approximately 9.30am and took more than four hours to be brought under control. It resulted in three minor injuries.

National Paints is located in a vital position along Emirates Road heading into Dubai.

The fire that erupted brought the city to a standstill as commuters were unable to use Emirates Road heading towards Dubai, and they fared no better as they headed back home due to Emirates Road being cordoned off as part of the authorities' precautionary measures to minimise injuries.

The road was closed to traffic for the rest of the day as a precautionary measure, and motorists took alternative routes on Bypass Road.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Bin Darwish, head of Anjad patrol unit at Sharjah Police, said that three roads had been closed from the morning to help fire fighters easily access the place and control the fire.

"Up to 20 police patrols have been deployed to control traffic and to direct motorists to use alternative roads."