Fire at under-construction Qatar shopping complex

DOHA: A fire broke out Saturday at a shopping complex under construction near one of the stadiums that will host matches during the World Cup in 2022, Qatar's interior ministry said.

"Civil Defence is fighting a blaze that broke out at an under-construction shopping complex (near) Rayyan Sports Club," the ministry tweeted.

Civil Defence is fighting a blaze that broke out at an under-construction shopping complex nearby Rayyan Sports Club. #MoI_Qatar

— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) April 2, 2016

Local media said the fire broke out at the construction site of the Mall of Qatar, which will be the Gulf country's largest shopping centre when it opens later this year.

Pictures circulated on social media showing plumes of black smoke billowing from the construction site.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.



Qatar is engaged in multi-billion-dollar work on projects directly or indirectly related to the 2022 World Cup.

The Mall of Qatar is a 500,000-square-metre retail and entertainment complex near the 40,000-seater Al-Rayyan stadium, which is undergoing renovation for the World Cup.