Investigations have begun into last Sunday's Hajer Tower fire, with Civil Defense investigators taking samples from the scene for analysis, and listening to witness statements. About 400 Civil Defense members, aided by teams from Jeddah and Taif, took eight hours to control the blaze which started on the top floors of the under-construction building. The fire, eyewitnesses said, began shortly after midnight. They said they first saw sparks coming out of the top floor of the Hajer Hotel building. The fire spread rapidly through wood being used in construction work engulfing the building in smoke. Surrounding areas were evacuated of people and cars, and onlookers were kept at a safe distance, as two fire-fighting teams entered the building to extinguish the fire and prevent it spreading to other floors. Hospitals were put on high alert, but no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. A Civil Defense spokesman said the fire started on the 32nd floor of Hajer Tower facing the Grand Mosque from scaffolding and wooden boards. Red Crescent teams were also put on the standby at the scene of the blaze. – Okaz __
