A fire ripped through a paper factory in Ngwedawkyi Ward, Pyigyitagon Township, Mandalay City on April 7. Ignited shortly before 12:50 am, the blaze consumed a significant portion of the facility.

According to the Myanmar Fire Services Department, a spark from exhaust glass welding on a paper drawing machine seems to be the culprit. The stray spark fell onto flammable paper raw materials stored below, triggering the fire.

Firefighters responded swiftly, deploying 15 fire trucks, 20 water carriers, and over 230 personnel, including both professional firefighters and auxiliary support.  A specialized LUF-60 fire fighting vehicle was also utilized. Though crews brought the blaze under control by 2:43 am and extinguished it completely by 3:33 am, the damage was significant.

The fire destroyed the entire single-story, steel-structured factory building, which measured 40 feet by 170 feet. Additionally, 10,000 pounds of paper raw materials were lost in the flames. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or casualties among people or animals.

The police station with jurisdiction over the area has opened a case against the 53-year-old manager responsible for the paper factory.