REJIMON K
Thu Apr 05 2012
Muscat: A fire that broke out in a building near Qaboos Masjid at Seeb Souq on Tuesday night created panic in the area. A Syrian-run carpet storeroom, a shoe storeroom, and a cargo storeroom run by two Indians were gutted in the fire which started at around 8:30pm.
"The fire engulfed all the three storerooms," eyewitnesses said.
"The loss will be huge but we can't say it now," the manager of one of the storerooms, told Times of Oman.
Civil Defence personnel rushed to the spot and dozens of firefighters were pressed into service to contain the fire.
"The timely rescue operations averted a big disaster," a member of a family that was rescued by the Civil Defence officials, said.
One of the residents who was in the building to check whether somebody else had been stuck was later rescued by the Civil Defence personnel with the help of a crane.
Huge loss
Four families have suffered huge losses in the fire. "We have lost everything. Other than the dress we are wearing now, nothing is left," one of the affected residents said.
The families are now staying with their friends and relatives in different buildings.
"Fire and smoke has damaged the building badly. Now, we will not be able to stay here. We will be here with our friends for a few days only. We have to find a new accommodation soon," a resident said.
© Times of Oman 2012
