Two factories have been gutted by blazes in an Umm Al Quwain industrial area.
Firefighters worked for 30 minutes to put out the fires, and managed to stop them spreading to nearby factories in the New Emirates Industrial Area, Umm Al Thaoub.
The blazes broke out in a plastics factory and a sponge factory. There were no casualties, reported Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister newspaper to The National.
Lt Col Hassan bin Sarm, director of UAQ Civil Defence, said operations received a call on Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters from Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman assisted.
Lt Col bin Sarm said the contents of both factories were destroyed.
He warned factory owners about the hazards of storing goods in aisles and doorways, and urged them to ensure electrical wiring was safe throughout the building.
He also advised that they regularly check alarm systems to avoid fires and reduce losses.
Civil defence teams across the Emirates are regularly called to deal with industrial fires.
In March, more than 50 factories and shops in UAQ were warned or fined for failure to comply with fire-safety rules after inspectors visited 1,180 businesses.
This month, an online directory of fire-safety experts in the region was launched for use by the public and industry staff.
The resource was compiled as part of the Safety Design in Buildings campaign, a GCC-wide initiative that has encouraged debate on safety standards.
There are plans to regularly add to the list on the website onsafetydesigninbuildings.com.
The experts can be reached by email.
The directory is divided into professionals, including safety consultants, systems suppliers and local authorities, and associations that have been vocal on safety, said Philipp von Zitzewitz, the Safety Design campaign manager.
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