RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- A fire in a building housing Muslim pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca killed 14 people and injured 43, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.
The fire happened late Thursday and was brought under control by members of Mecca's civil defense force, the agency quoted the force's chief, Brig. Ahmed al-Thubaiti, as saying.
The daily Okaz reported Friday that most of the casualties were Pakistanis and that the fire blocked traffic in the main street leading to Mecca's Grand Mosque.
The building was occupied by 270 pilgrims performing the ``umrah,'' or minor pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, al-Thubati said.
An initial investigation showed the fire was accidental, al-Thubati said. Mattresses and chairs in the mezzanine level of the 14-story, two-tower building apparently were set ablaze before the fire spread.
Mecca has in the past witnessed several fires and stampedes, which usually occur during the hajj, or the major pilgrimage required of every able Muslim.
In 2001, 35 people died in a stampede. In 1997, more than 340 people died in a fire that ripped through pilgrims' tents.
