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Cause of MGM blaze remains unknown
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Posted on Jul 31 2008
Arson investigators have failed to establish the cause of the fire that engulfed the MGM garment factory in Chalan Piao on July 9.
Department of Public Safety spokesperson Lei Ogumoro said yesterday that the Fire Prevention Section’s findings indicate that the fire had originated in the sewing section.
Ogumoro said the investigators, however, placed the incident under further investigation as the cause of the fire is still undetermined.
Ogumoro said scene investigation revealed that the fire had originated within the sewing department/section of the MGM factory.
Due to heat transfer, the dormitory on the east side was also burned and sustained total loss.
In addition, four 40-footer containers were burned as a result of heat transfer.
Arson investigators determined that the fire began within the sewing section “as evidenced from the heavy charring, bended steel poles and beams and spalling of concrete floorings within the immediate vicinity” in that section.
“These are indications of extensive heat damage,” said Ogumoro, quoting the arson investigators’ report.
DPS received the report about the fire on July at 4:52am. Fire engines responded to the scene. The fire was brought under control at 3:37pm that day—or about 10 hours later.
No one was reported injured.
Ogumoro said that on the same day at 7:30am, Fire Prevention Section investigators were summoned to the scene.
Upon their arrival, the investigators observed that the factory building located behind a four-story dormitory building had collapsed and was totally damaged.
The fire resulted in the evacuation of over 200 factory workers.
