A huge part of a carpet factory that was engulfed in flames in the coastal town of Safra, north of Beirut, collapsed on Friday after its outer walls cracked from the force of flames. The collapse of “Byblos” factory’s western front came after firefighters cleared the area following the partial cracks in the walls. The collapse threw debris to the abutting highway and caused flames in a small bush near the building. The Internal Security Forces immediately blocked the Safra highway for traffic heading from Beirut to the town of Byblos, advising commuters to take the coastal road instead. [Naharnet]