RIYADH: A minor fire, which broke out in the office of the Passport Department (Jawazat) in the capital on Sunday morning brought its work to a complete halt. It was later brought under control by firefighters of the city.

On coming to the site, Civil Defense officers and Red Crescent officials evacuated the building before dousing the flames.

Lt. Col. Saud Al-Rashid described the incident as a minor fire which started from an electrical short circuit in the air conditioning plant. Under an emergency plan which was previously practiced, workers were successfully evacuated without any casualty, and rescue workers did their job effeciently, he added.

Al-Rashid said that as a result of the fire, visitors to the Passport Department will not be able to access its main building. He advised them to use its Absher online system to process their requests.

He said they can also visit other offices of the Passport Department in the capital. There are five such offices in the capital. They are located at King Abdul Aziz Road-Hai Al-Wazarat; King Abdulaziz Road-Hai Al-Qatheer; Riyadh-Dammam Road-Al-Naseem; and Sahara Plaza at King Abdullah Road.