Kuwait imes - 9/7/2006

Kuwait witnessed many fires yesterday in different locations across the country. The Hawally Governorate had the lion's share of these fires, as an area of 5,000 sq m caught fire next to the Hawally fire station on Beirut Street. The site had many illegal residences where 'bachelors' and labourers working in the nearly satellite shops lived. The fire destroyed most of their belongings. Strong winds also helped spread the fire. One fireman broke his hand and another officer was injured due to the smoke and heat. The fire raged for hours. Three fire teams from Hawalli, Mishref and Salmiya participated in fighting this huge blaze - led by Colonel Adil Shuabi and Colonel Ali Al Jarki. Also present were general director of the fire services department Brigadier Yousuf Al-Ansari and Colonel Ahmad Bu Fitheen, the director of the Hawally five department.
Another report came from an Indian expat about a fire in his apartment on the ground floor of a building in Hawally. Firemen responded and found that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the air conditioner. No injuries were reported.
A third fire started in a building belonging to the Ministry of Education in the capital behind some well-known commercial complexes. The fire spread very quickly. The building is deserted and not in use. Sources at Ministry of Education told the Kuwait Times that there had been many calls to vacate the premises but "we did not listen to them". The cause of the fire is still not clear. Four fire stations participated in fighting this fire, which lasted about seven hours and injured many firemen. One fireman burned in his leg and another was burned on his back. A third was injured in the eyes and a fourth burned his hand. Two suffered from heat exhaustion.
Another fire was in Khaitan in a deserted house. Farwaniya firemen dealt with the fire and put it out swiftly. The fire was caused by timber and building materials stored illegally on a building site close to the deserted house. The Kuwait Times came to know that the municipality plans to fine the building owner for using the house illegally.