Fire on Wednesday gutted the Export processing Zone (EPZ) factory at Raiply Malawi Limited in Chikangawa, forcing closure of the factory.
Raiply Malawi Limited Public Relations officer Dalitso Chimwala said there was an oil leak in the reservoir, which caused a spark leading to the fire in the boiler room.
“Since we have lost steam, it means the EPZ factory is not functional. Engineers are waiting for the oil to cool off before making an assessment of the damage. Nothing else has been damaged, we also thank God, there has been no injury.
“Management appreciates the expertise and quick action of the Fire Department personnel, who were quick to action and for taking correct action as trained and drilled. Their skill has averted major damage,” he said in short statement.
The EPZ was opened on November 18 2017 by former President Peter Mutharika at the Chikangawa site.
The factory, which is the first of its kind in Malawi and second largest in Southern Africa, was set up to produce Medium Density Fireboards (MDFs) used in high-grade furniture and construction industries.
It uses waste from the other factories at Raiply, thinning materials and lops and tops of trees which cannot be used in the main factory.
Pictures courtesy of Chimwala
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