Mohammed Alshoaiby

Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — A fire broke out Saturday morning at Haram Plaza shopping mall, east of Riyadh, with no reported deaths or injuries.



The cause of the fire has not yet been identified as investigations are reportedly ongoing.



Media spokesperson for the District of Civil Defense, Captain Mohammed Al-Hammadi, said the fire was reported at 6:44 a.m., when the nearby Civil Defense department sent 12 field divisions, 10 support units, five rescue teams, a helicopter and an emergency task force to the scene.



The fire was put out promptly, he added, reporting no deaths or injuries.



Eyewitnesses reported heavy smoke visible from a distance and traffic congestion near the area as Civil  Defense teams made their way.



Pictures of the fire circulated under the hashtag #Haram_Plaza_Fire (translated from Arabic) and a 20-second video showing a nearby road covered in a thick layer of smoke while the fire blazed in the distance has almost made 50,000 views since Saturday morning.



The 5,000-square-meter mall, located near exit 15, has reportedly been evacuated while investigations continue.