Spokesman for the Makkah Province Civil Defense Maj. Abdullah Al-Amri said the fire broke out in the three-room apartment on the fifth floor of the six-story building.

He said that the Indian died of suffocation and that police did not suspect any foul play. He said the fire spread quickly because the apartment had a wooden roof.

The spokesman said the five injured men, also Indian, were rushed to King Abdul Aziz Hospital while an investigation has also been opened into the incident. He said none of the other residents were hurt because the building was immediately evacuated.