Cairo: A Saudi fireman was killed while helping put out a major blaze that had erupted at a popular market in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, according to media reports.
Sergeant Mohammed Abdullah was a member of civil defence teams, who rushed to the scene of the fire that had hit a number of stores in the Al-Sawarikh Souq south of Jeddah, spokesman for the Mecca Region's civil defence service, Col. Mohammed Bin Othman, said.
"Firefighting teams worked to contain the blaze, prevent its spread to neighbouring sites and extinguish it completely," he added. The cause of the fire is not clear yet.
During the fire-extinguishing operation Sunday, Sgt Mohammed died, the official added.
The Saudi Civil Defence eulogised the late soldier, describing him as a "detected" rescuer.
"We ask Allah to bless him with His all-encompassing mercy," the service added on its official Twitter account.
Al-Sawarikh market is believed to be the largest in Saudi Arabia, offering a wide range of goods including household appliances and furniture at bargain prices.
