The Hajer Tower fire in Makkah was caused by sparks from welding works being carried out around wooden planks at the site, Lt. Gen Sa'ad Al-Twaijri, chief of Civil Defense, said here on Monday Eighty workers in the tower, which was under construction at the time of the fire, including engineers, supervisors and laborers were questioned during the investigation. The findings will now be passed on to the Emir of Makkah Region, he said. Experts from Civil Defense, Criminal Investigations Department and Public Security took part in the investigations. Al-Twaijri said he was surprised that the Civil Defense was informed of the fire 45 minutes after it broke out. With concerns mounting as the Haj season approaches, Al-Twaijri said the safety requirements of over 6,000 housing facilities in Makkah, including hotels and residential units, would be assessed. About 80 housing facilities have so far been closed, he added. – Okaz __
