JEDDAH — More than 800 students and teachers were evacuated safely following a fire at a girls' school in Jeddah on Tuesday morning. At least 10 girls were treated for shock, said Col. Saeed Bin Sarhan, Makkah Civil Defense spokesman. Saeed said the fire broke out at the Intermediate School 15 in Kilo 3 district due to a short circuit in the air-conditioner of a classroom situated on the first floor of the three-story building. After its operations room was notified of the fire, several units from the Civil Defense rushed to the scene and evacuated 750 students and 62 staff members. The minor blaze was detected by the fire alarms in time and put out by firefighters. No major damage to the school was reported. Medical staff from the Jeddah Health Affairs and Saudi Red Crescent Authority volunteers treated children on the spot. The children were sent home after medical staff ensured all of them were in good health, the spokesman said.
