Nigerian Pilgrims Escape Death in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

August 24, 2011 – Nigerian Pilgrims Escape Death in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Nigerian Pilgrims performing this year’s Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia narrowly escaped death on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following an early morning fire outbreak in their hotel.

Fire broke out on the fourth floor of the seven-storey hotel building, which is some metres away from the Nigerian Consulate office in Jeddah, and was extinguished two hours later by fire fighters. The fire reportedly started as a result of the misuse of an electrical cooker by a guest in the hotel.

At least 34 Nigerian pilgrims are among the over 60 occupants of the hotel, including females and children, who escaped unhurt. Among those successfully evacuated from the hotel were members of the advance team of the Vice President Namadi Sambo who is expected to arrive in Medina on Tuesday evening for the Lesser Hajj. (Daily Times)