According to The Daily Star, the factory is owned by Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud. The fire reportedly raged until morning despite several fire trucks on hand. I wasn’t able to find much on the cause, but its safe to say that Lebanon’s mostly volunteer fire fighters are usually unprepared for the calls they get, including a lack of fireproof clothing and breathing equipment. Here’s a piece I wrote about them a few years back: “The unsung heros? Civil Defense Brigade take risks for free”
3 comments
Habib,
Is the Lebanese law clear about who is to be held liable in such circumstances? Is ther a “polluter pays” statute?
If you do not mind an off topic question: I am still not certain of the exact address of the “Grand Theatre” on which you posted 2 years ago.
Habib,
(1)Is there a clear statute that “polluter pays” ? and if not who is held responsible for the environmental damage, especially the damage to the ecosystem , if any.
(2) Around two years ago you had a post about the “Grand Theatre”. What is its exact location in Beirut? Thanks in advance.
Good question Ghassan–there was a huge column of smoke rising from the fire mentioned in this post. The entire area smelled like chemicals as well probably because of the plastics. I don’t if there is any legal liability for environmental damage. I was once told that most factories operate without a license anyway, so I doubt there is much environmental assessment going on. In fact you can often see black smoke rising from a factory in Dora, and I’m sure many flush right into the sea.
As for the Grand Theatre, it is on the corner of Azarieh bldg and Maraad street–in between the Landmark development and Azarieh bldg.