The Kuwait Fire Force said Monday that crews from the Al-Shaqaya, Jahra Al-Harfi, Qirawan and Al-Isnad fire centers responded immediately to reports of the fire at the Naayem scrapyard along Salmi Road. Firefighters focused on isolating the blaze amid the presence of highly combustible scrap materials and equipment that often complicate such operations in desert industrial zones. The coordinated effort succeeded in containing the incident without allowing it to spread to nearby facilities, the force added in its statement.
No casualties or injuries resulted from the fire, according to the Kuwait Fire Force. The authority has begun evaluating the extent of damage at the site while an investigation proceeds to determine the cause. The statement noted that such responses form part of routine efforts to address risks at storage and recycling locations.
The Salmi area serves as a key site for scrap processing and tire recycling following a major relocation project completed in 2021. A Reuters report from September 2021 detailed how Kuwait moved more than 42 million old vehicle tires to al-Salmi from a location near residential suburbs to reduce periodic fires that produced noxious smoke. The news agency noted that the relocation supported plans to develop the zone as a recycling hub with facilities using processes such as pyrolysis to convert tires into industrial fuel and carbon black.
Kuwait had approximately 2.4 million vehicles in 2019, up from 1.5 million in 2010, according to Central Statistical Bureau figures cited in the Reuters report. That growth has contributed to ongoing waste management demands in areas like Salmi, where scrapyards handle materials prone to ignition. The Kuwait Fire Force has responded to multiple incidents in the corridor in recent years, reflecting persistent safety considerations at these sites.
Crews in Monday’s operation worked under conditions typical for scrapyard fires, including dense smoke and limited immediate access to hydrants, the authority’s statement indicated. Support equipment accompanied the four teams to accelerate containment and secure the perimeter. The force has urged operators to maintain full compliance with fire prevention standards to limit recurrence.
Fire safety campaigns by the Kuwait Fire Force continue across industrial and storage sectors, with particular attention to summer conditions that elevate hazards. The authority’s latest update on the Naayem scrapyard fire follows similar successful interventions reported earlier in 2026 at comparable locations in the same region. Officials confirmed the site was secured after the blaze was fully extinguished.
