Fire mishap in flat: Man dies of asphyxiation

A 21-year-old Bahraini died of suffocation caused by smoke from a fire that erupted in a residential flat in Sitra yesterday. Five other residents, including one disabled child, were rescued by the Civil Defence firemen.

The fire took place on the second floor of an apartment building 784 located on block 607 in Abu Al Aish area in Sitra. The deceased has been identified as Abdulnabi Salman. The father of the victim was at his work in Sitra Power Plant when the incident took place.

“Civil Defence put out the fire in a house in Sitra. A number of residents were rescued. One died while receiving first aid,” stated the Interior Ministry on its official Twitter page.

The Ministry added that an investigation was initiated into the details of the incident.

Speaking to DT News, Shawqi Ibrahim, an eyewitness, said that the fire occurred around 9.30am. He said that he heard the screams of the women, who had climbed to the roof to call for help.

Ibrahim said that three people, including children were trapped in the apartment, adding that Civil Defence fire fighters evacuated the building and the three people were unconscious due to the heavy smoke. “One of them died while paramedics were trying to resuscitate him. His brothers were rushed to hospital.”

After dousing the fire, the firemen rescued the women, who were stuck on the roof of the building. The real cause of the fire is still unknown. 

According to the General Director of Civil Defence, the death occurred due to suffocation while they were giving medical care to one of the injured. 

“The rescue teams reached the place within six minutes of receiving information. Investigation will go on to determine the cause of the fire,” he said. 

He also advised the public to follow the general safety rules at homes and fix smoke detection devices to prevent such mishaps in future.