Jawazat services affected after Riyadh headquarters blaze

[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="87168,87169,87171"] Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Riyadh Passports Department (Jawazat) headquarters stopped processing documents on Sunday after a fire caused damage to visitors’ hall, it said in an announcement. The Jawazat urged the public to use ‘Absher’ service or to visit other Passports Department offices in the capital in case of emergencies. The fire, which broke out in Riyadh Passports Department (Jawazat) headquarters Sunday morning, was controlled and extinguished by Civil Defense firemen. No casualties were reported, online Al-Riyadh newspaper quoted Lt. Col. Saud Al-Rushood, spokesman of Riyadh Passports Department, as saying. Flames and smoke from the fire could be seen from outside the Jawazat building. Civil Defense teams controlled the fire while Saudi Red Crescent ambulances and paramedics were ready to deal with any emergencies. The fire was caused by a short circuit in the air-conditioning unit. The Department’s employees and visitors were evacuated from the building according to the emergency plan.