Paper mill fire was due to negligence

Abu Dhabi: Officials have said negligence was the main cause of the massive fire that gutted a paper mill in Musaffah on Saturday night, causing losses of about Dh9 million.

While no civilians were injured, 11 firefighters were treated onsite for smoke inhalation, and some were hospitalised after braving the fire that was contained after 60 water tankers went into action.

Nearly 70 per cent of the Abu Dhabi Paper Mill, located in Sanayya, was gutted in the blaze which spread to the adjacent Abu Dhabi carpet factory.

Forensic analysis

The Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the negligence in the storage methods and safety procedures followed by the factory, which was revealed during site inspection.

Samples are being collected from the area for forensic analysis and a detailed investigation report will be drafted, officials said.

Supervised by Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, the Police Deputy Commander-in-Chief, firefighters, rescuers and police worked overnight to control the fire and prevent it from spreading.

All roads leading to the site were cordoned off by the police.

Colonel Othman Al Tamimi, Director of Emergency Management and Public Safety at the police said that the fire broke out at around 6.07pm.

"Within five minutes help was on the way," he said.

Ambulance and rescue teams from Al Ain and Dubai also joined in the effort.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi municipality disconnected six power stations to prevent the fire from spreading.

The Water and Electricity Department also provided additional water to help contain the fire.

Over 30 vehicles took part in the operation, including trucks filled with sand.

Al Tamimi noted that the flammable nature of the materials stored in the factory and the poor organisation of the storage aggravated the situation.