We should all know what to do in a fire

The latest incident highlights the need to abide by safety standards and be insured

People watch the fire in Dubai Marina. Pawan Singh / The National

The blaze at the 75-storey Sulafa Tower in Dubai Marina on Wednesday has raised questions about fire safety, especially among those who remember the fire at The Address Downtown Dubai hotel on New Year’s Eve.

Once again, we can be thankful that a swift and professional response from the emergency services avoided loss of life and more widespread damage. As The National reported yesterday, Civil Defence workers evacuated nearby buildings, blocked roads to prevent injuries from falling debris and had the blaze under control in less than three hours.

Without prejudging any inquiry into this latest incident, it is important to stress that we must all make efforts to prevent similar incidents from occurring and to improve safety standards across Dubai emirate and the UAE.

It’s the responsibility of the whole community to help establish and maintain a culture of safety so that fires don’t occur through negligence or carelessness. And, in the aftermath of a fire such as this, it’s important that all parts of the chain – landlords, tenants, insurers, repairers and the relevant authorities – work together to ensure that the damage is assessed and repaired swiftly. This has not been the case in the past, with some fire-damaged buildings in Dubai still empty after many years.

The latest incident has also highlighted the benefits of having home insurance. Policies that cover unexpected loss or physical damage to household contents and personal possessions after theft, fire or other accidental damage are inexpensive by global standards – and they are especially affordable when compared to the cost of replacing those items. A good insurance policy will also cover the cost of alternative accommodation if fire damage makes your home uninhabitable.

There is still much to know about the cause of fires in apartment buildings. After the incident at The Address Downtown, the authorities looked at the role that may have been played by exterior wall panels. They also issued recommendations about fire safety equipment and procedures in the case of fire, and there are inspections to ensure compliance with all legal requirements. We encourage the authorities to continue to refine and enforce these regulations, and urge everybody to insure their property and ensure that all family members know what to do in the case of fire.