A POPULAR coffee shop near the Marina Club could be closed for up to three months after being damaged by a fire that started in a neighbouring building.

The Al Omda coffee shop suffered an estimated BD40,000 worth of damage in the blaze, which firemen took almost an hour to put out.

It originally began at the Gulf Tours office at around 5.30pm and spread next door.

A customer in the coffee shop raised the alarm after spotting smoke.

Two fire engines and six firemen were sent to the scene to put out the fire.

Owner Mohammed Abdulla said he was waiting for a police report so he could start repairs, which would take two to three months.

"I lost everything including furniture, coffee makers and electrical equipment, all worth BD40,000," he said.

"The shop wasn't insured, so I will have to pay from my own pocket for all the expenses.

"The fire started from the tourism office and spread to our shop. We had a few customers, as most of them come between 9pm to 11pm.

"We asked them to leave the shop as soon as the fire started, as customers' safety is important for us.

"I immediately called the Civil Defence, who arrived and put out the fire, but the shop suffered extensive damage."

Mr Abdulla said going into the shop after the fire was a painful experience.

"I went to the shop and was unable to find a single piece of furniture that wasn't damaged in the fire," he said. aneeqa@gdn.com.bh