A large fire broke out at a tyre factory in Sharjah at 12.30pm, with flames that could be spotted on the horizon from Dubai, Ajman and Ras al Khaimah. There were not thought to be major injuries or anyone trapped inside the factory, authorities at the scene said. Most of the more than 400 employees of the plant, who live in a nearby labour camp, were at Friday prayers when it began. Scraps of burnt rubber were scattered for several kilometres along the road under a massive smoke cloud emanating from the scene. * The National
