| 06 Mar 2010 |
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Emergency meeting called to discuss safety of Balad's buildings
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JEDDAH: The Jeddah Municipal Council will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the recent fires that gutted buildings in the Balad (historic center), chairman of the council Hassanain bin Alawi Baakeel said on Friday.
He said the council would discuss all the aspects of the problem and would also consider a mechanism to ensure the older buildings are safe.
Jeddah's historic center needs about SR1 billion for renovation and development, according to the municipality. Furthermore, an estimated 312 of downtown's historic building need to be vacated so that such renovations can take place.
The Balad is home to Jeddah's oldest buildings, with their distinctive coral-brick stucco walls and mushrabia window boxes. Today most of these buildings are in various states of disrepair; some are fire hazard that threaten the government's efforts to gain UNESCO World Heritage status for the district.
Adnan Adas, manager for renovation and development of the historical region at the municipality, called for the intervention of higher authorities to salvage the buildings, many of which are occupied by illegal residents. "Some people have been converted these buildings into warehouses, which make these buildings more liable to catch fire," Adas said. Getting UNESCO's recognition of the areas historical relevance, he added, "Would help attract a large number of foreign tourists."
A fire broke out last week in three of these historic buildings. By the time the flames were extinguished, 12 buildings were gutted.
The fire was likely caused by a gas cylinder used for cooking and made worse by air conditioner compressors and other gas tanks exploding as the fire spread.
Omar Ahwas, another resident, said many of the buildings that burned were on the verge of collapse even before the fire.
Hussein Ahmed Ahwas, a resident of one of the gutted buildings, said the fire took place while his family was preparing to go to visit a friend. "We were residing in Ba-Othman building and when the fire broke out, we fled the building," he said. "The three buildings collapsed one after another as a result of explosions."
Ibrahim Rajih, who has been living in the area for 45 years, said last week's fire started from the Baqahoom building, which then spread to the Batarfi building before hitting the Ba-Othman House, Hussein Bamather's building, Ahmed Bahlawi House, Qadi House, Salama House, Ghazi Abul Hamayil House and some other historic buildings.
By MUHAMMAD HUMAIDAN
© Arab News 2010
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