Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Salama Cooperative Insurance Company announced on Monday the appointment of a loss assessor, licensed by the Insurance Authority, to assess the damages, caused by the massive fire that broke out in the Jeddah International Market last week.

The insurance company said in a statement on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) that it had received on Sunday a notice regarding the fire that broke out in one of the oldest markets in the Jeddah governorate on Sept. 29. The company stated that the policy is reinsured with reinsurers, in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations in this regard.

The insurer said it will provide updates on developments related to this incident as they become available.

A massive fire broke out in the Jeddah International Market, located close to Madinah Road in Al-Rawdah district on Sunday, September 29. Two Civil Defense soldiers were died during their battle to extinguish the blaze that caused the collapse of the market façade and devastated most of the shops and outlets of the market.

The Civil Defense Directorate announced that its personnel were successful in their efforts to put out the fire that swept through the famous commercial complex in the city after fighting for nearly 14 hours. More than 20 firefighting and rescue units from Jeddah and Makkah had swung into action to contain the rapidly spreading flames that engulfed most parts of the market, which is more than 40 years old.

Jeddah International Market is one of the oldest shopping malls in Jeddah and the first closed market in the governorate. The market, which came into being in 1981, is famous for many shops of perfumes, watches, jewelry, clothing, electronics, boutiques, and restaurants. A large number of shops and stalls were gutted in the fire.