Nigerian Pilgrims escape death in Saudi Arabia

Nigerian Pilgrims escape death in Saudi Arabia

At least 34 Nigerian Pilgrims performing this year’s Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia narrowly escaped death following an early morning fire outbreak in their hotel on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

It was reported that the fire engulfed the fourth floor of the hotel and it took men of the Saudi fire service over two hours to put it out.

A man, who was believed to be a staff of the hotel, attributed the cause of the fire to electrical fault arising from the misuse of an electric cooker by a guest in the hotel. 

Prompt response

Some Nigerians, who spoke to reporters on the incident, saluted the prompt response of the Saudi Fire Service to the incident. 

“My greatest surprise during the fire outbreak was that neither the hotel management nor the firefighters cut out  the electricity supply of the hotel even though the fire was caused by an electrical problem,” said one Nigerian pilgrims.

“You can see that we are still enjoying the supply of electricity in all the floors in spite of the fire incident except the affected fourth floor,” the pilgrim added.

Observers said that over 60 occupants of the hotel, including females and children escaped unhurt. 

Among those who were successfully evacuated from the hotel were members of the Advance team of the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, who was expected to arrive in Medina on Tuesday evening for the Lesser Hajj. 

Report says that the hotel, a seven storey building, is some metres away from Nigerian Consulate office in Jeddah.

NAN/Shakira