A devastating fire has swept through Herat’s industrial park, causing financial losses exceeding $10 million, according to local officials. The blaze, which began at a carton manufacturing factory, has been burning for nearly 24 hours and remains out of full control.
Bashir Ahmad Wahidyar, spokesperson for the Herat Fire Department, reported that emergency teams managed to save high-value factory machinery early on, preventing even greater losses. “We were able to secure equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from the flames,” he said. “However, the presence of food and organic materials allowed the fire to spread rapidly within the facility.”
Authorities confirm that the fire has been contained within the factory’s premises, preventing it from reaching other parts of the industrial park. Still, the ongoing blaze continues to challenge emergency crews.
Hamidullah Khadem, head of Herat’s Chamber of Industries and Mines, stated that all available firefighting teams—including units from the police, industrial park, and nearby factories—have been working continuously since the fire broke out.
The incident has brought attention to the lack of fire safety infrastructure in the area. Mohammad Asif Mirzada, board member of the National Chamber of Industries and Mines, emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue: “Firefighting capabilities in the industrial park are extremely limited. We call on the government, private sector, and the public to take immediate steps in equipping the park with proper fire control systems.”
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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