Three Canadians among dead in Saudi housing complex fire: Saudi official

Three Canadians were among those killed in a fire that engulfed parts of a residential compound in Saudi Arabia Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- A Saudi official says three Canadians are among those killed in a fire that engulfed parts of a residential compound in the kingdom's oil-rich east.

A regional civil defence spokesman (Col. Ali bin Saad al-Qahtani) was also quoted today by the official Saudi Press Agency as saying that a total of 10 people died and 259 were injured in the blaze, including a Pakistani and a Nigerian national.

The civil defence directorate previously said 11 people were killed.

None of the victims' names have been released.

The defence spokesman says 179 of those injured have been treated and released from hospital, and that a preliminary investigation suggests an electrical short circuit in the building's basement sparked the blaze.

The complex in the city of Khobar houses workers for state oil giant Saudi Aramco.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said consular officials were in touch with the Canadians affected by the incident.

"Canadian consular officials in Riyadh are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to those affected and their family during this difficult time," said Diana Khaddaj.