DUBAI // An overheated exhaust fan caused a fire in Al Quoz last Saturday that destroyed six warehouses, police said yesterday.
The fire spread rapidly because of improperly stored goods, including flammable materials, according to a report put together by investigators.
Major Gen Khamis al Mazeina of Dubai Police said the fan caught fire inside a warehouse in which such materials as tiles, paint and cabinets were stored.
The flames quickly spread to other flammable materials, such as boxes, scattered throughout the six linked warehouses which belonged to the Salah General Trading and Element Middle East companies.
Major Gen Mazeina said police had ruled out the possibility that the fire was started deliberately. Several warehouse workers and witnesses had been questioned by police, but were released without charge, he said.
Hundreds of residents and workers were forced to leave their homes and businesses after the fire broke out at a warehouse last Saturday afternoon.
Mohammed Abu Aitah, a fire specialist in the Dubai Police Criminal Investigation Department, said it was determined that the fan's motor had overheated, sparking the fire. He also said a flammable material used in the warehouses' ceilings made the fire spread rapidly.
"The exhaust fan was taken for testing at the lab and it was determined that the temperature of the fan began to increase rapidly, which led to the burning of its metal propellers. The fire then extended to the neighbouring area which contained many storage boxes. All the warehouses contained flammable materials," he said.
"Doorless openings" between the warehouses had also contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze, he added.
As they fought the blaze on Saturday, firemen ran out of water for more than 45 minutes until a water truck from Ajman and equipment from Abu Dhabi were brought in. It took three hours to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported.
rabubaker@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)
Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
Abu Dhabi Card
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National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
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7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now