Yemen: Massive fire threatens government complex due to garbage accumulation.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

A limited fire broke out a short while ago in the government complex in Al-Ma'afer district, after a large pile of accumulated garbage next to the building caught fire. The fire led to the rapid spread of flames, reaching the complex's fence, which caused concern among employees and visitors, before the fire brigades were able to contain the fire and control it completely without any human casualties. This incident once again highlights the crisis of waste accumulation and neglect in its management near important government facilities, which poses a great danger to the safety of buildings and facilities, and may cause greater disasters if the concerned authorities do not move quickly to take the necessary measures. The government complex in Al-Ma'afer has been suffering from the accumulation of solid waste for years, without a clear plan to remove it or allocate safe places for its disposal, which increases the possibility of fires or environmental and health damage. Local sources confirm that this neglect is mainly due to the weak coordination between the authorities responsible for cleanliness and local administration, in addition to the lack of material and human capabilities to treat waste in a sustainable manner. For their part, civil activists and officials in the local community called for the need to intensify cleaning campaigns and impose strict control over waste collection sites, especially near government and vital facilities, while enhancing awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and public safety. They also called on the concerned authorities to develop an emergency plan to deal with emergencies such as fires, and to provide the necessary equipment and training for local fire brigades to ensure a rapid response and reduce damage. This incident comes in light of the increasing environmental and health risks in many areas, as a result of continuous neglect and waste accumulation, which requires the authorities to reconsider their policies and activate the role of monitoring and follow-up to ensure a safe and healthy environment for citizens.