The Civil Defense Department in Madina cut off power to 50 buildings in the central area in Madina for failing to observe safety requirements. The buildings were used for housing pilgrims and visitors of the city. Chief of Madina Civil Defense Col. Ali Bin Attallah Al-Otaibi said apart from the apparent structural defects of the buildings, the owners of the buildings failed to supply stand-by power generators, or to install automatic fire sprinklers and early warning devices and emergency exits. The buildings were found to be unsafe and reported during an inspection round led by Captain Khalid Al-Otaibi. Col. Attallah added that unless these violations are worked on and corrected, the power service would not be restored to these buildings as instructed by Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majed, Emir of Madina. We double check on buildings to make sure that the pilgrims would be comfortable and safe during their stay in Madina, he added. – Okaz __
