Civil defense personnel attempting to extinguish a fire that break out in Haram expansion site.

Six people were injured in a fire that broke out in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday afternoon. The quick and effective intervention of Civil Defense authorities prevented the fire from spreading.

The fire started at the wooden scaffolding used at the construction site of the Grand Mosque expansion near the Gaza area.

“The fire broke out in a third-floor building that was under construction at a Haram expansion site toward the northern side of the Grand Mosque on Friday. The area is not used by visitors,” said Col. Saeed Sarhan, spokesman for Civil Defense in Makkah.

“Due to construction material and the wooden scaffolding in the 60 x 80 meter area, the third floor was engulfed in flames but the blaze was contained quickly as scores of fire fighters were deployed from three directions to the spot. They brought the fire under control by using chemicals.”

Strong winds at the upper level had hampered the fire extinguishing efforts but Civil Defense effectively controlled the flames, he said, adding that a total of six people were injured in the incident.

 
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