JEDDAH: A massive fire broke out in a multi-story garment shop in Makarona Street near the Tahlia Street intersection yesterday afternoon, causing losses worth more than SR3 million, according to the shop manager.

The authorities said there were no deaths or injuries. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire, which started on the shop’s second floor, was caused by an electrical surge.

Majed Badr, the Yemeni manager of the shop, said the fire started around 1:15 p.m. “When I saw the smoke coming out, I immediately evacuated the workers and customers inside the shop,” he said.

Badr then rushed to an adjacent cooking gas supply shop to help move gas cylinders away from the heat and flames. Civil Defense firefighters were seen helping to avert the risk of a gas explosion.

The road facing the shop was blocked off. It took the firefighters about three hours to get the blaze under control.

Additional water tankers from the nearby Aziziah water distribution center were called in. The Civil Defense used a firefighting crane to contain the fire.

The shop, which is owned by Manal Salem Hamad Est., was extensively damaged. The fire also damaged a parked vehicle.

Anas Hijazi, the Syrian owner of the vehicle, said that he had parked his car near the shop to visit a friend nearby.

“I rushed out when I heard the sirens only to find my car in flames,” he said. “My car is insured but I don’t know whether it covers damage caused by a fire or not.”

Capt. Abdullah Al-Amri, spokesman for the local Civil Defense, said that the fire was successfully brought under control before it spread to neighboring buildings. Ten firefighting units took part in the operation.

Al-Amri said the use of foam agents was necessary because garments are highly inflammable and when ablaze produce a massive amount of black smoke.

Meanwhile, a fire in a residential building in the western side of the Madinah partially destroyed a multi-story building yesterday evening. No deaths or injuries were reported.

Several teams of firefighters evacuated people caught in the building before bringing the fire under control.

It is believed that the fire was sparked by electrical short circuit. Police are investigating.