By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
Three shops were destroyed in a fire that broke out yesterday at a mini shopping complex on D Ring Road, near Al Emadi Hospital.
The timely intervention of the Civil Defence personnel averted a major tragedy, as the fire was in the vicinity of Al Saqr Petrol Station.
There were no casualties and the reason for the fire was not known.
An eyewitness said the fire broke out in a car accessories shop around 2pm and spread to the neighbouring shops.
“While I was waiting for a friend of mine, I saw huge plumes of smoke coming out of the car accessories shop. Within a very short time, large number of Civil Defence personnel reached the place and immediately put out the fire. If the fire had spread a little more, it could have reached the petrol station and resulted in a major tragedy,” he said.
A laundry shop as well as a cafeteria also caught fire. A supermarket next to the car accessories shop was unaffected by the fire but smoke had spread inside the shop.
The fire was put under control within 45 minutes.
Lieutenant Abdualla Mohamed al-Athbi and Mohamed Ali al- Suwaidi led the team of firefighters.
