Deadly Fire Rekindles Warnings Over Kuwait Expat Housing Conditions

Arab Times

2 days ago

KUWAIT CITY, Jun 1: A devastating fire broke out early Sunday morning in a residential building in Reggae area, killing six people and injuring five others, in an incident chillingly reminiscent of the deadly Al-Mangaf blaze in June 2024 that claimed 49 lives.
The Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) confirmed that emergency teams were dispatched at 4:22 a.m. following a distress call reporting a fire in the building. Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Gharib, Director of Public Relations and Media at KFF, stated that units from Ardiya Industrial Area, Shuwaikh, and the Technical Rescue Department arrived at the scene within four minutes.
The fire had engulfed two apartments on the fifth and sixth floors, which, according to Al-Gharib, had been illegally subdivided to house single male labourers. This overcrowding and unauthorised construction significantly worsened the blaze, he said.
'Firefighters launched evacuation efforts using ladders and stairwells, managing to rescue dozens of expats,' Al-Gharib stated. 'Three charred bodies were recovered at the scene, while seven people were taken to the hospital. Two later succumbed to their injuries.'
The victims included individuals of Asian and African nationalities. Al-Gharib warned that violations such as unregulated room partitions, poor fire safety compliance, blocked escape routes, and a lack of fire-fighting equipment are recurring hazards that endanger lives and hamper emergency response. He urged property owners to strictly adhere to safety codes, particularly during the summer when fire incidents typically spike.
Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Athbi Nasser Al-Sabah visited Farwaniya Hospital to check on the injured, offering condolences to the victims' families. He instructed authorities to investigate the cause of the fire and ensure full support for those affected. Praising the efforts of emergency responders, he also emphasised the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety standards in residential buildings.
The Ministry of Health reported that ten casualties were handled across several hospitals. Six were treated at Farwaniya Hospital, while two were referred to Al-Babtain Burns and Plastic Surgery Center. Four were also admitted to Al-Sabah Hospital. The Ministry activated its emergency response plan in coordination with ambulance services to ensure swift medical intervention.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Fars, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Support Services, conducted an on-site assessment, overseeing the provision of care and ensuring the availability of resources.
This latest fire tragedy once again highlights critical safety lapses in worker accommodations and underlines the pressing need for regulatory reforms to prevent a repeat of past disasters.