• A fire broke out in an industrial area in Jebel Ali, Dubai.
    A fire broke out in an industrial area in Jebel Ali, Dubai.
  • Fire crews put out flames and dampen the foundations of a plastic factory following a blaze.
    Fire crews put out flames and dampen the foundations of a plastic factory following a blaze.
  • Crews at the scene of a fire at a plastic factory in Jebel Ali.
    Crews at the scene of a fire at a plastic factory in Jebel Ali.
  • A helicopter and rescue vehicles were at the scene.
    A helicopter and rescue vehicles were at the scene.
  • No injuries have been reported and the area has been blocked by the police. James O'Hara / The National
    No injuries have been reported and the area has been blocked by the police. James O'Hara / The National
  • Drivers on Sheikh Zayed Road drove past thick black fumes coming from the plant. James O'Hara / The National
    Drivers on Sheikh Zayed Road drove past thick black fumes coming from the plant. James O'Hara / The National

Jebel Ali fire: Plastic factory blaze sends smoke billowing across Dubai


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Fire crews tackled a major blaze in Jebel Ali's industrial area on Wednesday.

Smoke was sent billowing across the district shortly before 2pm.

Dubai Government Media Office said the fire was in a plastics factory and that crews were at the scene.

"Dubai Civil Defence teams and the specialist units succeeded in evacuating the factory of its employees without recording any injuries," it said.

It took about 30 minutes to put out the flames and crews remained at the scene to dampen the damaged building. The cause of the fire has not yet been released.

Drivers on Sheikh Zayed Road drove past thick black fumes coming from the plant when it first ignited.

The area was blocked by police and rescue vehicles remained at the scene.

The Jebel Ali district is home to thousands of companies and hundreds of factories.

The area houses a cluster of plastic factories and it was not clear which the incident took place in. Officials did not name the company.


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Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel

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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Updated: August 11, 2021, 3:54 PM