Beirut commercial district fire doused

A fire that erupted in a landmark building in central Beirut’s commercial district on Tuesday has been extinguished, civil defence official George Abou Moussa said, reports Reuters.

A Reuters witness said part of one side of the building was smouldering as firefighters hosed it down. The building was close to completion after years of construction.

Lebanese broadcaster al-Jadeed earlier broadcast footage showing smoke billowing from the building.