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Iraqi fire engines race to UN inspectors` headquarters
Baghdad, Dec 29: Three Iraqi fire engines and a police car raced to the Baghdad headquarters of the UN weapons inspectors today morning in response to an electrical short circuit, an Iraqi civil defence official said.
Baghdad, Dec 29: Three Iraqi fire engines and a police car raced to the Baghdad headquarters of the UN weapons inspectors today morning in response to an electrical short
circuit, an Iraqi civil defence official said.
The official, who refused to give his name, said there was no fire. Firefighters wearing masks were seen leaving the hotel housing the inspectors and their offices, which is closed to the public, carrying scorched papers and small pieces of twisted metal. The inspectors' spokesman could not immediately be reached.
The inspectors left for their daily inspections as usual after the fire trucks arrived. The Iraqi information ministry said they visited three sites this morning.
Security has been tight at the three-story canal hotel on Baghdad's outskirts. Cleaning and maintenance crews from Cyprus, where the inspectors have a rear base, were flown in to ensure Iraqi access to the building would be minimal. The building also was swept for electronic listening devices before the inspectors moved in.
Bureau Report
The official, who refused to give his name, said there was no fire. Firefighters wearing masks were seen leaving the hotel housing the inspectors and their offices, which is closed to the public, carrying scorched papers and small pieces of twisted metal. The inspectors' spokesman could not immediately be reached.
The inspectors left for their daily inspections as usual after the fire trucks arrived. The Iraqi information ministry said they visited three sites this morning.
Security has been tight at the three-story canal hotel on Baghdad's outskirts. Cleaning and maintenance crews from Cyprus, where the inspectors have a rear base, were flown in to ensure Iraqi access to the building would be minimal. The building also was swept for electronic listening devices before the inspectors moved in.
Bureau Report