Fire at Erbil industrial facility causes material damage, no injuries reported

ERBIL — A fire broke out at a sandwich panel manufacturing facility on the Makhmour-Erbil road late Friday night, causing significant material damage but no reported injuries, according to Erbil Civil Defense.

In a statement, Civil Defense reported that the fire occurred at the Rasan Group facility due to a gas leak. “TThe fire originated in the accommodation area for the facility’s guards. The guards had attempted to transfer gas from a cylinder to their living quarters, but the leak occurred during the process, leading to the fire,” the statement said.

The Azadi firefighting team contained the blaze, preventing further damage. Authorities confirmed that only material losses were sustained, with no injuries reported.

The incident adds to a concerning number of fire cases reported in Erbil in 2024. Between January and October, Erbil Civil Defense recorded 2,057 fire-related incidents, with dried grass and shrubs being the most common cause, accounting for 842 cases. 46 people lost their lives, including 22 from burns and 24 from suffocation, while 89 individuals sustained injuries. Civil Defense teams managed to rescue 56 people and 11 vehicles during these emergencies.