Both Saudia and Civil Defense authorities reported no loss of life, but refused to comment on the material losses after the blaze that reduced the warehouse to a rubble.

“The fire broke out inside a warehouse that belonged to Saudia north of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

The blaze began around one o’clock in the afternoon and quickly spread in the warehouse that measured 18,000 square meters,” Capt. Abdullah Al-Amiri, Civil Defense spokesperson, told Arab News.

Another spokesman of the Jeddah Civil Defense, Brig. Abdullah Al-Jaddawi, said it took four hours to bring the fire under control.

Members from 13 Civil Defense task forces and rescue teams were at the site battling the blaze. According to Al-Amiri the windy condition led to the rapid spread of the fire.

According to Al-Amiri the warehouse contained oxygen and nitrogen tanks, among other aircraft parts, including old seats and machinery.

Assistant Director General of the Saudi Arabian Airlines for Public Relations Abdullah Al-Ajhar confirmed that the blaze in the warehouse had been brought under control but refused to speculate on the cause of the fire or the estimated damages.

“A fire in the strategic unit of the warehouse for technical services of the airline outside the airport caused damage to spare parts of aircraft and some old equipments.

The whole warehouse was damaged by the fire,” he said. However, the spokesman clarified that the fire in no way affected airlines’ regular operations. “Saudi Arabian Airlines will make every effort not to be affected by this accident.

“The spare parts used for the aircraft under service and new aircraft have not at all been affected by the fire because they were stored at a safe place,” he said, adding that efforts have begun to estimate the losses caused by the fire.

He also added that investigations had been launched to ascertain the cause of the blaze.

Al-Amiri said, “There were no casualties among members of the Civil Defense and the investigation team has begun its work.”