Arab News reports that the fire at the prison in Ahsa was the result of arson, consequent to a riot among prisoners. The incident is under investigation, but so far there is no word on how or why the rioting started.

Arson in Ahsa Prison Leaves 7 Dead

JEDDAH, 6 May 2008 — Seven inmates at Al-Ahsa Prison died of suffocation when rioting prisoners set fire to beds, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Harithy, director general of prisons in the Kingdom, said the inmates died as a result of a “deliberate fire” following an internal dispute between some inmates.

Al-Harithy said 16 inmates and three security personnel were hospitalized suffering from asphyxia. Seven of the prisoners died in hospital, he said.

There were 1,275 inmates at the prison when the fire broke out. “All of them were evacuated until the fire was brought under control,” Al-Harithy said, adding that security agents have launched a probe into the incident.

The Civil Defense Department sent 20 firefighting units and 20 first-aid teams to the prison.

Col. Yousuf Al-Qahtani, spokesman for the Eastern Province police, said the accident occurred after a dispute between inmates, who set beds on fire. “Security officers took control of the situation with Civil Defense support,” he said.

Saudi Gazette has more details on the incident, but is also unable to report on what started the rioting.