MUSCAT: The failure to maintain and follow safety requirements set by the authorities is one of the main causes of fires in industrial areas, according to the Director General of Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances (PACDA).

Last week, a massive fire broke out in Wadi Kabir Industrial area which resulted in huge losses and damage to properties. Firefighters battled for almost eight hours to extinguish the blaze.

Speaking to Oman News Agency, Brigadier General Salem bin Yahya Al Hinai urged everyone to comply with the regulations set by the authorities in controlling the fire. “One of the most important causes of fires in industrial facilities is the failure to comply with the requirements set by PACDA in protecting, random storage. The other reason is constructing buildings with unstable and non-fireproof materials,” he said.

According to data, nearly 1,300 fire related incidents occurred in workplace and industrial areas in Oman last year. “We call everyone to follow the requirements and procedures set by the competent authorities into effect for residential, industrial and agricultural facilities in order to prevent these incidents and to limit the damages,” he added.