Planck Vision Systems: Peshawar Factory Fire Triggers Rs5 Billion Damage, Firefighters Struggle to Control Blaze

Planck Vision Systems manufactures thermal imaging solutions for portable inspection and 24/7 monitoring of commercial applications including: Early Fire Detection, Manufacturing, Substations and Tunnels, Electrical Panel/Cabinets, Storage Facilities, Data Centers and Elevated Body Temperature Screening. Our company is headquartered in Santa Barbara CA, the capital of infrared sensing technologies in the United States.

A major fire broke out at the Royal PVC Green Tissue Paper and Diapers factory warehouse in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Saturday, October 26, at approximately 1:40 pm local time. The blaze, believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, spread rapidly due to large amounts of polythene material. Firefighting efforts, involving over 30 appliances and 100 personnel from multiple districts, lasted over a day before the fire was contained. No casualties were reported, though 18 rescue workers required medical attention. The damage is estimated at Rs5 billion.

NEWS

A devastating fire broke out at the Royal PVC Green Tissue Paper and Diapers factory warehouse in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at approximately 1:40 pm local time.

The fire was initially believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit in the factory’s warehouse. This ignited a blaze that quickly spread throughout the building, with the presence of polythene materials exacerbating the rapid spread of flames.

The fire grew to such a scale that it required over 30 appliances and 100 personnel from several neighboring districts, including Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Nowshera, and Khyber to assist in the firefighting efforts.

A spokesperson for the rescue services, Bilal Faizi, stated that the fire was particularly difficult to contain due to the combustibility of materials and the intensity of the blaze . In total, 18 rescue personnel were injured due to the smoke and heat and required medical treatment. Fortunately, there were no other casualties reported, despite the large number of workers, approximately 1,300 employees, at the factory at the time.

After over 24 hours of firefighting efforts, the fire was finally brought under control, but not before it caused extensive damage to the factory building, with the roof eventually collapsing due to the combined effects of the intense heat and the massive use of water in efforts to control the flames. The total losses from the fire have been estimated at Rs5 billion approximately $18 million USD, which includes both the structural damage and the loss of materials inside the warehouse.

Following the devastating fire, Adbul Karim, an official from the provincial ministry for industry, confirmed that an inquiry would be launched to investigate the cause and circumstances surrounding the fire.

The presence of chemicals in the warehouse, which had contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, also complicated the rescue and firefighting efforts. The government has committed to investigating whether proper safety protocols were followed in the warehouse.

_{source: thefpa.co.uk}

Scalable Solutions for Early Fire Detection
For early fire detection, Planck Vision TNC thermal imaging cameras are far superior to traditional systems that can alert to fire only after the visible consequences of smoke and flame are present. TNC cameras can help to prevent the destruction of goods and loss of life by surveilling for abnormal heat conditions before fires erupt.

Top 6 Advantages of Planck Vision Thermal Cameras:
Industry-Leading Sensitivity: Our cameras easily identify dangerous pre-flame conditions and post-flame hotspots, providing early warnings to prevent extensive damage.
Customizable Options: With a wide selection of sensor resolution and lens optics, we tailor our cameras to suit specific surveillance needs, ensuring optimal performance for every application.
Dual Thermal/Visible Cameras: Combining thermal and visible cameras in one unit enhances situational awareness, allowing for comprehensive monitoring and swift response to potential threats.
Easy Installation and Operation: Our IP cameras are designed for seamless integration into your local network, simplifying installation and operation for enhanced efficiency.
User-Programmed Analytics: With analytics running on Edge, our systems offer the best reliability, empowering users to customize monitoring parameters for precise threat detection.
On-Camera Head Relays: Control is placed where it’s needed most with on-camera head relays, facilitating quick adjustments and interventions in critical situations.