Fire breaks out at fancy shopping mall in Qatar

Associated Press

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar's Interior Ministry says a fire has broken out at a large shopping mall in the Gulf state's capital.

Witnesses in the capital, Doha, said thick black smoke could be seen pouring from the ritzy Villaggio mall around midday Monday.

The Interior Ministry said on its official Twitter page that the fire was put out later in the afternoon.

It didn't immediately report any fatalities. An evening news conference was planned.

The Villaggio opened in 2006 and is one of Qatar's most popular shopping and amusement destinations. It includes an ice skating rink and indoor Venice-style gondola rides.