Sixteen dead and 9 injured in Dubai fire

Building owner under investigation for lack of compliance with safety codes, say authorities

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Sixteen people died and nine were injured in a fire at an apartment building in Dubai, authorities have said.

The blaze broke out on Saturday in a five-storey building off Al Khaleej Street in Al Ras, where the old Deira market is.

The first crews were on the scene at 12.41pm, around six minutes after the first emergency call was received.

The fire on the fourth floor “resulted in the death of 16 people and injuries to nine others”, a Dubai Civil Defence statement said.

“Preliminary investigations showed that lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements caused the fire.

“Relevant authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to provide a detailed a report on the causes of the accident.”

No mention of arrests at this stage have been made.

Civil Defence “stressed the importance of residential and commercial building owners and residents fully complying with security and safety requirements and guidelines to avoid accidents and protect people’s lives”.

Al Ras is on the banks of Dubai Creek in the city's old souq district. One of the city's densely populated areas, it is home to thousands of market workers and traders.