At least 11 people were killed and 200 more injured in a fire that broke out at a Saudi Aramco residential compound in the early hours of Sunday morning, it has been reported.
Aramco said that the incident took place at 05:45am in the basement of the Radium residential compound in the eastern city of Khobar.
The residential compound is leased by Saudi Aramco for its employees.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the fatalities and injuries which resulted from the fire,” Acting President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said. “Saudi Aramco is fully committed to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees and their families.”
Colonel Ali Al-Qahtani, spokesman for Eastern Province Civil Defense, said evacuation efforts continue to save people from rooftops, New Zealand’s Stuff.co.nz reported.
Photos showed columns of black smoke billowing from the windows as cars and furniture burned, hampering the search-and-rescue operation, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Residents said helicopters were seen flying in the area. The cause of the fire hasn’t been identified yet.
The Radium Residential Complex, where the fire started, is a gated community with eight, six-story buildings and 486 units, according to Saudi Aramco’s website.
The Radium Residential Complex comprises eight six storey buildings, the report added.
