Kuwait market fire: investigation launched as Mubarakiya blaze brought under control

About 14 people suffered minor injuries in the blaze

A fire that broke out in Kuwait's Al Mubarakiya market is now under control and an investigation to determine the origin of the fire will be launched, authorities said.

Eight fire crews fought to put out a blaze that spread through almost 20 shops, said Redha Al Salman of Kuwait's Fire Force.

He said the fire brigade was alerted to the blaze at 3.20pm on Thursday. The fire spread quickly because many of the shops were packed with flammable materials, he added.

About 14 people suffered minor injuries, including minor burns and cases of smoke inhalation, were reported and were quickly handled by emergency medical teams.

Ministry of Health spokesman Dr Abdullah Al Sanad said the emergency medical teams and ambulances moved to the site of the fire in the first minutes of its outbreak.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah, visited the site and ordered the opening of an investigation.

Mr Al Salman said that firefighters had to deal with crowds present at the market as they fought to put out the flames. People were urged to stay away from the scene, where areas remain cordoned off.

Souq Mubarakiya is a favourite shopping place for citizens and expatriates as they ready themselves for the month of Ramadan, which is due to start on Saturday.

It was the third major blaze in Kuwait this year. Fire broke out in Kuwait International Airport's under-construction Terminal 2 this month and a fire disrupted petroleum coke exports in the Shuaiba Industrial Area in January.

The Shuaiba fire was the third in four months at plants under the control of the Kuwait National Petroleum company.