Blaze destroys labour camp

A FIRE ripped through a Doha labour camp yesterday — gutting the site and sending property and valuables belonging to 600 workers up in smoke.

The blaze broke out at 1:30 pm while the camp was all but deserted save for a security guard and a couple of other men.

No casualties were reported but as thick smoke filled the sky above Ain Khalid, many workers raced back to the camp to find all their worldly goods destroyed.

“I came home about 3pm and tried to go inside as I have money and personal belongings inside, but it was too dangerous,” said one labourer who works as a painter. “I have never seen such a fire in my five years here in Qatar.”

According to the terrified labourers, who could only stand by as their belongings burned, a number of men lost money in the fire. One man claimed to have lost QR2,600.

Another worker said: “The camp is home to hundreds of people. Now they have lost everything, all their personal belongings, their clothes, and even their money. Everybody is in a state of shock.”

The camp, belonging to HBK Engineering and the Power Cleaning Services, mainly consisted of temporary cabins that quickly became engulfed in the fire. Strong winds made it difficult to bring the blaze under control. Within hours the camp was a blackened mess of twisted metal with the temporary homes charred beyond recognition.

Several cars were also destroyed.

A security guard said: “As the fire broke out during the day no-one was hurt as all labourers were away working. I dread to think what might have happened if this fire had broken out at night.”

The cause of the fire was still not known late yesterday.