Fire breaks out on Dubai Creek boat

A dhow on fire at Dubai Creek. Courtesy Aletihad

DUBAI // A fire erupted on a dhow anchored in Dubai Creek on Monday, destroying the boat and goods being stored for export.

The wooden boat caught fire at about 1.30pm on Monday in quay 7 in Dubai Creek, near Al Maktoum Bridge, witnesses said. No injuries have been reported.

Black smoke could be seen billowing out of the dhow, while crews on two firefighter boats sprayed water on the blaze and police stood guard nearby.

#DubaiCreekFire excellent response by @DCDDubai They have reached the spot within minutes #DubaiFire pic.twitter.com/tKcYV7xslM

Nabi Bakhsh, who works as a loader at the port, said the fire started when a gas cylinder exploded while the staff were cooking lunch. He said the cylinder was not closed properly and exploded.

“There were several people in the boat, but they jumped into the sea, so there was no human loss,” said the 40-year-old Pakistani, who has worked at the port for more than 10 years.

Another port worker said the fire had destroyed goods being re-exported from the country, such as shoes, bags, toys and perishable items such as biscuits and chips.

“Within a few minutes, goods worth millions of dirhams became ashes in a few minutes,” said 25-year-old Majid Ahmed.

Toys, shoes, burnt papers and ash could be seen floating in the water.

Ahmed Ali was resting at a nearby cafeteria when the fire erupted. He said most of the quays were being used to re-export goods to countries such as Iran.

“I have never seen such a huge fire so closely in my life. It was scary,” he said.

“But I am really impressed by the way firefighters and police have controlled the situation and saved the place from a major disaster.

“I feel sorry for the loss of goods but happy that all of us our safe.”