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Now, fire at used car maket

Speaking to Khaleej times, Brigadier Gharaib Shabban, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence said that the operations room received the call at 2 pm and a team rushed to the market place. The fire fighters contained and put out the fire in only fifteen minutes.

He said that the vehicles which were to be auctioned soon were all covered but parked improperly in the area, explaining that this could be the reason for the rapid spread of the fire.

Residents in the nearby Al Wahda Plaza Building noticed the fire and informed the police and civil defence.

Although the cause of the fire was not immediately known, residents in the nearby buildings told Khaleej Times that it could be an act of vandalism.

“In recent months there have been several incidents of vandals damaging parked vehicles in that area. Teenage vandals frequenting the area in the evenings have become a threat to our property and children,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.

Residents and shopkeepers in the area said there have been frequent incidents involving these anti-social elements puncturing car tyres and writing obscenities on the parked vehicles. In some cases obscene graffiti are painted on building walls and lift doors.

The cars which were damaged in the fire belonged to used car showrooms in Abu Shaghara, behind Mega Mall.

Used car dealers said the losses could amount to Dh400,000 or more.

The prompt arrival of fire engines and police on the scene averted a potentially huge disaster. As the civil defence personnel struggled to put out the raging fire, exploding fuel tanks and strong winds threatened the nearby furniture showrooms and residential buildings.''

"Any delay could have resulted in the fire spreading to hundreds of cars parked in area and the buildings in the vicinity,” said a car showroom owner.

Colonel Brigadier Salih Ali Al Mutawa urged Sharjah Municipality to implement its decision of transferring the car markets from residential areas to its designated place on the outskirts of the emirate.

He said that even though the fire was put out in 15 minutes, the smoke from the burnt cars carried towards apartments and disturbed the residents.

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