By Ashraf Abdul-Wahab and Aimen Eljali.
Tripoli, 23 August 2013:
A fire at an indoor car park this afternoon in central Tripoli forced . . .[restrict]the evacuation of residents in the apartments above and nearby, amid fears that vehicles might explode.
The fire broke out at the Municipal Police’s car park in Shara Damashque, behind Tripoli Local Council building in Algeria Square. Firefighters rushed to the scene and decided to evacuate the area in case of an explosion.
It is not yet known if the fire was caused by arson or by an electrical short circuit. An investigation has begun.
The Municipal Police, an armed force, come under the the authority of the Finance Ministry. They are tasked with cracking down on illicit trade practices, such as out-of-date food being sold in restaurants, and ensuring shops have licences and staff are not illegal migrants. [/restrict]
