A factory producing building materials in Erbil’s Timari Gawra industrial area was engulfed in flames on Friday, causing significant material damage but no casualties. The fire, triggered by a gas leak, was brought under control hours later by civil defense teams.

Erbil civil defense spokesperson Shakhawan Saeed explained that the fire originated in the guards’ quarters when they attempted to draw gas using a hose. "The gas leaked from the hose and caused the fire," Saeed told Rudaw.

Although no injuries were reported, the incident highlights ongoing fire safety concerns in the region. Erbil has reported at least 2,057 fires in the past ten months, according to Saeed. A total of 7,546 fire incidents were recorded across the Kurdistan Region in 2022, with at least 19 fatalities due to fire-related incidents in the first half of 2024 alone.

Fires remain a persistent issue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, where adherence to safety standards is often insufficient. Many buildings lack basic safety measures such as fire extinguishers, evacuation routes, and emergency exits, exacerbating the risk of such incidents.

The civil defense unit continues to urge businesses and residents to implement proper safety protocols to reduce the frequency and severity of fires.