DUBAI // Residents were forced to flee after a blaze broke out in a 75-storey residential tower in Dubai Marina on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire, believed to have started on the 60th floor of the Sulafa Tower about 2.45pm, spread quickly in the strong wind and damaged apartments on eight floors.
Civil Defence workers evacuated nearby buildings and blocked roads to prevent injuries from falling debris, leading to traffic chaos as hundreds gathered to watch the blaze.
A British resident of Sulafa Tower was among them, anxiously awaiting news of her cat.
“We really don’t know where to turn or what to do now,” she said. “We are in shock.
“I rent on the 25th floor. It was such a beautiful flat. I was at work when I heard about the fire and came straight home.
“I have a small cat and he is still in there. I’m more worried for him than my things.”
She said she had not had a chance to contact her landlord.
The tower is one of the 25 tallest buildings in Dubai and 130 tallest in the world.
Civil Defence said the blaze was reported at 2.48pm and units from Al Barsha, Al Rashidiya, Al Karama and Al Marsa stations rushed to the scene.
Worried residents returning from work were unable to reach their homes.
Floors on the north-facing side were affected with some balconies completely burnt, while others on the west-facing side were also damaged. At one point the winds blew flames to east-facing side.
Several fire engines and a water tanker were moved into position around the building, and a crane fitted with a hose was used to fight flames on the lower floors.
The Dubai Media Office said no injuries were reported and the blaze was brought under control by about 6pm.
Egyptian Ahmed Hashem was sleeping in his 24th-floor flat when the fire alarms went off.
“When I walked outside I could smell smoke so left the building in a hurry,” said Mr Hashem, 30. “I’m really worried now as all of my things are the apartment – my passport, money, clothes TV, everything.
“My landlord is in Egypt so I haven’t been able to speak to him. I’ve no idea where to go.”
The Westin Dubai hotel opened its ballroom to anyone affected by the fire.
“To anyone affected by the Sulafa Tower fire, we are opening up the Westin ballroom should you need temporary shelter and refreshments.”
Alexandra, who lives in Dubai Marina, watched the fire spread around the tower, with debris falling to apartments on the lower floors.
“It looked like it was spreading and I saw debris fall from one of the higher floors on to the balcony of another,” she said.
Ahmed Mohammed, from Somalia, lives in one of the nearby towers and was worried about the flames spreading to other buildings.
“It’s really worrying because the wind is so strong and you can see how the fire is spreading on the building. I really hope it doesn’t go to the other buildings.”
Sherif Ebied, who lives in the Ocean Heights tower opposite Sulafa Tower, said: “My building is less than 20 metres away from the tower and I could see the whole thing from my apartment.
“People coming from work were not allowed to enter their parking areas in nearby buildings.”
Mr Ebied said that he saw the fire spread around the tower.
“The fire started on the front, and then I saw debris fly on to the left side of the building,” he said. “By the time the front side was cooled down, a blaze started on the left side.”
He said 13 fire engines were at the scene. Crews could not say what caused the fire.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
nhanif@thenational.ae
