Shoppers and staff have been evacuated from Villaggio mall this afternoon after a fire reportedly broke out in a clothing store there.

According to an employee, the fire originated at the men’s clothing store Topshop/Topman near Entrance 2, close to Carrefour.

He added that the evacuation appeared to proceed smoothly.

Just a few days ago, on April 1, Civil Defense conducted a fire drill at the mall, where 19 people died in a blaze last May, to test the alarm system.

Meanwhile, authorities have struggled to get a fire at the under-construction Sidra Medical and Research Center under control today.

Fires in Qatar become more common in the summer months as temperatures rise, increasing the likelihood of electrical shortages.