The investigation revealed the fire had started in the aft C3 cargo compartment.
The fire was intense enough to burn through the cabin floor, causing passengers seated in that area of the cabin to move forward prior to the landing.
Saudi officials  found two butane stoves in the burned-out remains of the airliner, and a used fire extinguisher near one of them.
One early theory was that the fire began in the passenger cabin when a passenger used his own butane stove to heat water for tea.
The investigation found no evidence to support this theory.
The investigation revealed the fire had started in the aft C3 cargo compartment. The fire was intense enough to burn through the cabin floor, causing passengers seated in that area of the cabin to move forward prior to the landing. Saudi officials  found two butane stoves in the burned-out remains of the airliner, and a used fire extinguisher near one of them. One early theory was that the fire began in the passenger cabin when a passenger used his own butane stove to heat water for tea. The investigation found no evidence to support this theory.
Saudia Flight 163