JEDDAH, 20 August — A massive fire that hit Al-Ahdal market south of Jeddah yesterday destroyed more than 70 shops and caused losses worth SR7 million.
Col. Mohammed Al-Qarni, acting director of Civil Defense in Jeddah told Arab News that his officers had rushed to the market soon after receiving information on the fire.
“We were able to contain the fire within three hours before it could spread to neighboring shops,” he said, adding that the fire caused only material losses.
The department has launched a probe to determine the cause of the fire which started about 4.30 a.m.
Traders at the market said the fire had caused them losses worth more than SR7 million. The fire destroyed shops of readymade dresses, watches, cosmetics and electric equipment.
“The fire was spreading fast as there were inflammable materials in the shops such as readymade dress, cosmetics and electric utensils,” witnesses told Arab News. Nine teams of firemen and three rescue units and more than 15 water tanks took part in the firefighting operation.
Brig. Saad Al-Harithy, assistant commander of the fire force in the region, followed up efforts to fight the blaze from the very beginning.
Abdullah Al-Harithy, field supervisor of Saudi Red Crescent Society, told Arab News that his organization had sent two rescue teams to the site.
“Only one Sudanese worker was injured in the incident and he was taken to hospital for treatment,” Harithy said.
“Four persons had received minor injuries including two members of the civil defense and a shop owner. They were given first aid on the spot,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, two fire accidents took place in Al-Ahsa and Houtat Bani Tamim, Al-Riyadh Arabic newspaper reported. The paper said a massive fire destroyed the Haraj market in Hufouf in the Ahsa region.
In the second incident, fire destroyed eight rest houses in Hulwa in Houtat Bani Tamim and killed cattle. Police have arrested a person for allegedly causing the fire, the paper added.
In Yanbu, Civil Defense firemen put out a fire that broke out inside a private dental clinic, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported yesterday, adding that the fire had not caused any injuries to patients or others.
