A huge fire destroyed 600 palm trees spread over an area of 180,000 square meters on Thursday. Several farms located in the middle and eastern part of Domat Al-Jandal governorate in Sakaka bore the brunt, as the fire continued to spread for a second consecutive day. Strong winds blowing from the north flared up the fire that extended to several old farms, cattle pins and poultries. The fire also destroyed this year's date produce. Eye witnesses said some fire engines of the Civil Defense in Domat Al-Jandal went out of order and the authorities had to seek help of the Civil Defense in Sakaka to put off the fire. Fleets of water tank trucks from the irrigation and sanitary project also helped in extinguishing the fire. Brigadier Khalf Bin Muhammed Al-Shran, acting director of the Civil Defense in Jouf Region, said the fire broke out in different areas. The dry palm branches, grass and strong wind further agitated the fire. He said the fast spreading fire made it difficult for the Civil Defense to control the calamity and hence the Civil Defense in Jouf was called for support. The authorities concerned held a meeting to discuss precautionary measures for such incidents. Initial reports showed that a short circuit sparked the fire. They also called on the farmers to remove leftovers such as dry palm branches from their farms to prevent such incidents in the future. – Okaz __
