ABHA – The Civil Defense Directorate in Asir has warned that the narrow roads in Khamis Mushayt posed a threat to the safety of its residents, shoppers and other visitors and urged the authorities to take corrective measures, Al-Watan daily reported. Col. Mohammed Al-Asimi, Civil Defense spokesman, said about 460 business outlets are located in the center of Khamis Mushayt, the second largest city after Abha in the southern Asir province. "The narrow roads make it difficult for firefighters to enter various areas of the city quickly in the event of a fire," he said. He however pointed out that the directorate has acquired smaller vehicles to reach narrow and mountainous areas of the region. "This is not a new issue. Previously, a committee comprising representatives of relevant authorities including the governorate and municipality was set up to study the problem in detail. The committee submitted several proposals," Al-Asimi said. The committee proposed short-term and long-term solutions including changing of electric wiring in some of the buildings to preempt possible fires because electrical shorts caused more fire accidents in the region, he said. "When we get information about fires in downtown Khamis Mushayt, we dispatch adequate number of firefighters immediately," Al-Asimi said. Safety patrols intensify their rounds in the area, especially during Ramadan, Eid festivals and summer holidays when a large number of people visit the city for shopping and tourism. An Al-Watan survey found that there are a large number of businesses such as restaurants, textile shops, cafes and cosmetics stores in the area and a large number of people visit them, especially during the morning and evening shopping hours. Some vehicles were found parked in front of the shops making it difficult for other vehicles to pass. Gas pipelines have been installed along the pedestrian path endangering public safety and the city's cleanliness was not up to the mark. Al-Watan contacted the municipality's spokesman Badr Al-Qarni for comments but he did not respond.
