LAST BID: Firefighters try to salvage what is left of the Saudi TV center in Makkah. (AN photo by Ahmad Hashad)

MAKKAH: A massive fire destroyed a transmission center of Saudi Arabian Television in Makkah yesterday.

The center’s studios and administrative offices were completely gutted in the fire. No deaths or injuries were reported among the television’s employees. One Civil Defense firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza, spokesman for the Ministry of Culture and Information, confirmed that a fire destroyed the television station’s studios, administrative offices, cameras and production equipment.

The station’s central library containing thousands of videos and mobile transmission units remained intact, the spokesman said.

He said Civil Defense firemen reached the site soon after receiving information and contained the fire within an hour. An investigation has commenced into the cause of the fire. No criminal motive was expected to come out of the investigation, according to Lt. Col. Ali Al-Muntashri, spokesman for Civil Defense in Makkah.

“The television station was located in one of Makkah’s buildings. A new building has been constructed and the station was to be shifted there shortly,” said Al-Hazza, adding that the new building is equipped with all modern facilities.

Al-Muntashri said the fire broke out at 3 p.m. yesterday, adding that a joint panel has been formed to estimate the losses. “No one was injured in the incident because the fire broke out after the employees had left the building,” an eyewitness told Arab News.

First aid teams from the Health Ministry, the Saudi Electricity Company, patrol police and traffic police took part in the firefighting and rescue operation.