KPH Group Says Marsa Blaze Proves Long-Ignored Safety Threat
KPH Group has issued a public statement following the fire that broke out at the adjacent JAC Steel scrapyard in Marsa on 21st November, emphasising both its gratitude to emergency responders and its long-standing concerns over safety risks posed by its neighbour.
In its statement, KPH expressed “sincere gratitude” to the Civil Protection Department, the Malta Police Force, Transport Malta, LESA and all individuals involved in the emergency response. The company said the rapid and well-coordinated action of the authorities prevented what could have escalated into “a disaster of national scale”- one that might have severely disrupted its operations and, in turn, threatened livestock production and Malta’s food security.
KPH confirmed that it immediately launched a full internal assessment after the incident. Its teams secured the site, eliminated any potential dangers and began repairing equipment damaged by the blaze.
All raw materials and feedstock that may have been affected were isolated and are now being prepared for disposal in line with environmental, veterinary, and legal standards. Sampling and testing have been carried out both by the competent authorities and by KPH’s own team.
The company said it has already taken steps to replenish essential raw materials from off-site storage facilities and through accelerated orders from suppliers, ensuring operations can resume as quickly as possible and that supply to farmers remains uninterrupted.
“This event underscores the reality that KPH has been forced to live with for many years. Operating next to a scrapyard has exposed us to ongoing serious danger. This danger has been repeatedly brought to the attention of the relevant authorities, including via judicial acts,” reads the statement.
KPH used the incident to highlight what it described as an “ongoing serious danger” posed by operating next to a scrapyard — a concern it says it has raised repeatedly with authorities, including through judicial acts. The company stressed that the proximity of the scrapyard presents unacceptable risks to employee safety, operational continuity, and national food security. As one of Malta’s major animal feed producers, any severe damage to its facilities could have “far-reaching consequences” for the agricultural sector.
According to the company, relevant authorities have so far “beaten around the bush,” claiming there are no health and safety issues while the scrapyard operator continues to trade freely.
KPH said last Friday’s fire “corroborates” its warnings and called for enforcement action to ensure responsibility is assigned to whoever is at fault, whether through actions or omissions.
What do you make of the company’s statement?
Credit: Yanick Agius and CPD via Facebook
READ NEXT: Salary Hikes And New Allowances For 200 Employees As Lands Authority Signs Collective Agreement
