JEDDAH, 7 May 2006 — Clouds of black smoke covered the sky in south Jeddah Friday afternoon as fire erupted in five warehouses in the industrial area around midday, causing an estimated SR150,000 in damages, according to fire department officials. Arson was suspected.
The fire broke out in one of the warehouses minutes before the Friday prayer, said the regional head of Civil Defense, Col. Mohamed Al-Ghamdi.
Warehouse workers interviewed by officials said they did not have access to a telephone and had to run to the nearest fire station to alert the authorities. “They arrived 15 minutes after the fire started,” Al-Ghamdi said, adding that authorities are working with the insurer to investigate the suspicious fire.
The fire spread quickly to four adjoining storage facilities due to strong winds and the presence of unspecified flammable items in the first warehouse.
Security forces cordoned off the area by blocking all entries and exits. It appeared as if they were determined to prevent a repeat of looting that occurred during a fire in the warehouse city earlier this year.
Ten teams of firefighters, two civil defense helicopters and four emergency rescue teams participated in putting out the fire. No casualties were reported.
