Fujairah: Dozens of shops at Souq Al Juma (Friday Market) in Masafi, Fujairah were gutted by a fire that started on Saturday evening, Civil Defence officials said.

“Firefighters are still working to completely douse the fire,” Colonel Ali Al Tunaiji, Director General of Fujairah Civil Defence told Gulf News on Sunday afternoon.

“We received reports of the incident at around 6pm,” he said. “A team of paramedics and firefighters rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control.”

Col Al Tunaiji said there were no casualties or injuries but some were treated for smoke inhalation on site.

Authorities are now reviewing fire-safety standards and procedures at the Friday Market to ensure swift evacuation in the event of another blaze.

“The fire opened our eyes to the fact that emergencies do happen and that the effort we put into the systems and procedures is of great importance,” Col Al Tunaiji said. “We are planning to carry out evacuation drills at the Market in case something like this happens again.”

According to Col Al Tunaiji, Civil Defence staff conduct drills each month around the emirate to ensure they are ready for any eventuality.

Compensation for damages

Meanwhile, His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has ordered aid and compensation for each shop owner affected by the fire.The order came after his visit to the market on Sunday morning. He was accompanied with officials from Fujairah Police Civil Defence and Municipality.

The cost of the damaged goods was officially estimated to be between Dh15 million and Dh20 million.

Mohammad Al Afkham, Director General of Fujairah Municipality, said the municipality will hold a meeting with the concerned bodies to discuss the reconstruction of the market and review its safety standards.

Al Afkam said Shaikh Hamad’s order is aimed at helping traders get back on their feet.

“Many traders lost all their belongings in the fire,” he said, “With Shaikh Hamad’s help, they will hopefully soon be able to resume their businesses.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Dr Saeed Al Hassani, Director of the Media and Public Relations department of Fujairah Police, said results from the police forensic laboratory will be revealed in the next two days.

Al Hassani said the fire originated at the Al Bustan carpet shop.

“We summoned the owner and staff of the shop to the police station for questioning,” he said.