Fire destroys Basra electricity department

BASRA — A fire sparked by an electrical short circuit tore through the Al-Jenaina Electricity Department on Saturday after igniting barrels of kerosene stored inside, completely destroying the building.

Civil defense teams responded with three fire engines and three water tankers to battle the fast-moving flames.

“The fire was spreading very quickly,” an emergency responder at the scene told 964media.

An internal security source said no fatalities were reported, but two people suffered from smoke inhalation and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The source added that the fire caused significant material damage, destroying equipment and department contents.

Firefighters worked for hours to bring the blaze under control. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.