JEDDAH: The Omar minaret is safe. Contrary to some reports, the fire in the historic Bin Khamis house, one of downtown Jeddah’s oldest buildings, did not spread to another gem of the Balad, the Omar ibn Al-Khattab Minaret, the remaining structure of the 7th century mosque built by the Second Caliph Omar ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him).
The minaret is now attached to the Al-Shafie Mosque that was built later. According to eyewitnesses, the fire engulfed the old house quickly on Thursday and it took the Civil Defense the whole day to put out the fire.
The house suffered heavy damages; there were no injures reported.
Adnan Adas, head of the municipality’s Structures and Rehabilitation Department, called on those who live in these old historic buildings to respect their historical value. “The owners of these houses are responsible for the general well-being of those inside,” Adas said.
“These places need care and we in the municipality are trying hard to preserve these places.”
The fire was blamed on a short circuit of and air conditioning unit in one of the apartments. One resident expressed anger that the municipality has yet to install fire hydrants in the area as promised. There are about 1,800 structures of historic value in downtown Jeddah.
An estimated 400 are in need of immediate renovation and structural fortification or they could collapse, posing a danger to residents who live in some of them. Undocumented residents occupy many of the structures.
