A massive fire in Herat’s industrial park has caused over $10 million in damages.
According to local officials, the fire started at a carton manufacturing factory and, after nearly 24 hours, is still burning intensely.
Bashir Ahmad Wahidyar, the press officer at the Herat Fire Department, stated: “Initially, we managed to save the machinery of the factory, which was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in investment, from the flames. Due to the presence of food and organic materials, the fire spread rapidly. We were only able to contain it within the premises of the company and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the industrial park.”
Hamidullah Khadem, the head of Herat’s Chamber of Industries and Mines, said: “The fire is still ongoing, and all firefighting forces—from thevpolice command to the industrial park and factories with firefighting equipment—have been engaged since yesterday.”
The lack of firefighting resources in Herat’s industrial park is considered a major challenge.
Local officials emphasize the need to equip the park with advanced fire control systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Mohammad Asif Mirzada, a board member of the National Chamber of Industries and Mines, said: “The firefighting facilities in the industrial park are extremely limited. I urge the government, the public, and investors in this park to provide the necessary firefighting equipment and take this issue seriously.”
So far, the cause of the fire remains unknown
