Cameroon governor calls for steel factory shutdown after fire kills four
Littoral Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua cited safety failures following a deadly blaze at Metafrique Steel in Douala.
A fire at Metafrique Steel's factory in Douala's Bassa industrial zone killed four people and seriously injured 16 on November 2, 2026. Littoral Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua called for the company to halt operations, citing a failure to implement safety measures after previous fires.
The governor criticized the plant's safety management, stating, "We truly believe it would be appropriate for this company to shut down." An investigation has been announced to determine the fire's circumstances, which initial reports suggest followed an explosion.
Four badly burned bodies were found inside the facility by firefighters, and 16 injured individuals were taken to Douala General Hospital. Governor Diboua warned that the death toll may rise as rescue efforts continue.
Why it mattersFour people died and 16 were seriously injured in a factory fire in Douala.