Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH – The presence of more than 25 furniture warehouses in Ria Dakhir district of Makkah threatens the safety and security of the neighborhood. The residents of the district fear that a small spark can lead to massive fires that would swallow the entire district including their homes as the warehouse store highly inflammable materials.

Residents said the warehouses sprang up in the district without their knowledge about 10 years ago. A group of illegal residents converted old houses in the area into warehouses and furniture workshops in violation of the Kingdom’s residency and labor regulations.

Illegal foreign workers have been manufacturing sofa sets and other household furniture using wood and foam at these workshops that lacked safety measures. A fire is likely to break out any time at these warehouses and could lead to a big calamity engulfing the whole district.

Residents have urged the authorities several times in the past 10 years to shift the warehouses to a far-off place to avert fire accidents but they did not get any positive response. They are afraid the authorities would not move until a catastrophe occurred causing several deaths and massive destruction.

Faisal Ayed Al-Harbi said the warehouses were constructed by illegal foreign workers, violating the rules and regulations.

“These warehouses are located close to our houses and we are afraid of possible fires at any time. We have noticed small fires in these warehouses and could be developed into massive ones in the absence of safety measures," Al-Harbi told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

“I don’t know why the authorities are hesitant to take action against these illegal warehouses and furniture workshops. Are they waiting for a catastrophe to take place?” asked Al-Harbi.

He gave a possible scenario in case of a fire. The illegal foreign workers will flee to the mountains to avoid arrests while residents of the district will face the consequences. He called for a drastic solution for the problem before the occurrence of a massive fire.

Abu Abdul Kareem also spoke about the growing number of illegal warehouses in Ria Dakhir. Many illegal foreign workers come to the place to engage in furniture work, especially during Ramadan when the demand for furniture goes up.

He urged the authorities to shift the warehouses to a place far away from residential districts.

District chief Fahd Al-Harbi also cautioned the authorities of potential fires that could break out in the warehouses that are filled with foam and other inflammable products.

“We have noticed small fires occurring now and then at these warehouses,” he said and stressed the need to shift the warehouses to a place far away from residential areas.

“There are more than 25 illegal warehouses in Ria Dakhir. They are operating in old houses and do not have the safety means,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

“As the district chief I have already lodged complaints to the police as well as to the municipality and the Civil Defense to take action against these dangerous warehouses,” he added.