JEDDAH: A citizen in Alardha village in Jazan has accused the Civil Defense of failing to arrive in time to rescue his two four-year-old twin children from a fire that broke out at his house.

Naif Ali Aqaili was quoted as saying by local media that he blames the Civil Defense for arriving late on the scene on Monday. The boys, Raed and Rayan, died of smoke inhalation.

Maj. Yahya Abdullah Al-Qahtani, spokesman of the Civil Defense in Jazan, said that when the fire report was received, teams were immediately sent out to the house. The fire was brought under control and the children were removed. However, they died at a local hospital. An investigation is underway, he said.