MAKKAH: A massive fire gutted a warehouse in the Otaibiya Market in Makkah yesterday, but no deaths or injuries were reported.
Lt. Col. Ali Al-Muntashri, the Civil Defense spokesman in Makkah, said the fire was brought under control in half an hour. Firemen prevented it from spreading to other warehouses and shops in the market, the scene of several previous fires.
Al-Muntashri said 10 civil defense teams rushed to the site soon after receiving information about the fire. He added that an estimate of losses could only be given once investigations are completed.
“We closed all roads leading to the market in order to facilitate movement of firefighting vehicles,” he said, adding that the fire broke out at a time when children were coming back from schools.
Three families living in a nearby building were evacuated fearing that the fire could hit their flats. Several fires have occurred at Otaibiya Market in the past. Shops and warehouses in the market are located closely.
