Smoke rises as a result of a fire that erupted near the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, July 4, 2025. Unknown fire erupted Friday afternoon in bushes close to the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace situated on top of a mountain overlooking the capital Damascus, sending thick plums of black smoke over wide areas, local media and witnesses said. [Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua]

Unknown fire erupted Friday afternoon in bushes close to the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace situated on top of a mountain overlooking the capital Damascus, sending thick plums of black smoke over wide areas, local media and witnesses said.

State-run Al-Ikhbaria TV said the fire erupted in a kitchen in one of the palace's gardens, not inside the building.

It said civil defenses are trying to control the blaze.

Xinhua reporter nearby saw huge clouds of smoke filling the western Mazzeh neighbourhood.