Fireworks warehouse explodes in Joura al-Balout residential building

An explosion struck a fireworks and firecracker warehouse on Monday afternoon in the ground floor of a residential building in Joura al-Balout, east of Beirut. The flames spread to apartment balconies, while initial assessments found no injuries.

Joura al-Balout in the Metn district northeast of Beirut was rocked by an explosion on Monday afternoon at a warehouse containing fireworks and firecrackers. A major fire followed, sending thick clouds of white and black smoke over the area, while burning fireworks flew into the streets and nearby neighborhoods.

The incident occurred at a fireworks shop and warehouse on the ground floor of a residential building in a populated neighborhood. Flames spread to the balconies of several apartments, while cars and the facades of nearby buildings were also damaged.

Civil Defense controls the fire

Civil Defense teams rushed to the scene with support from municipal police. In a statement, the agency said that its rapid response enabled it to control the fire, contain the flames and limit their spread, adding that cooling operations were continuing to prevent a renewed outbreak.

Joura al-Balout Municipality said in a statement that the fire affected storage facilities in a house belonging to the sons of Jريس Naoum Abu Joudeh. It said no injuries had been recorded in initial assessments and urged residents not to circulate inaccurate information and to obtain news from official sources.

Smoke rises around the residential building after the fire was brought under control in Joura al-Balout

Licensed as a toy warehouse

Municipal head Issam Abu Joudeh said the warehouse was licensed as a toy warehouse, not a fireworks facility. He said the municipality was awaiting the investigation results before taking strict measures and that the warehouse owner was responsible for compensating those affected by the damage. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Photos and video: Al Modon, LBCI, social media

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