• Sharjah is to replace hazardous cladding on buildings, with work starting this week. Such cladding was cited as the cause of a major blaze at Abbco Tower in the emirate in 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sharjah is to replace hazardous cladding on buildings, with work starting this week. Such cladding was cited as the cause of a major blaze at Abbco Tower in the emirate in 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Abbco Tower in Sharjah after the massive fire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Abbco Tower in Sharjah after the massive fire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Abbco Tower the morning after the fire. Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Abbco Tower the morning after the fire. Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Abbco Tower in Sharjah after the massive fire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Abbco Tower in Sharjah after the massive fire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Abbco Tower in Sharjah was gutted in the fire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Abbco Tower in Sharjah was gutted in the fire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The area around Sharjah's Abbco Tower. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The area around Sharjah's Abbco Tower. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The damaged Abbco Tower after a huge blaze on Tuesday night. The building was fitted with cladding that was banned in 2016. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The damaged Abbco Tower after a huge blaze on Tuesday night. The building was fitted with cladding that was banned in 2016. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Families watch as flames spread through their building late on Tuesday night. Several surrounding towers were evacuated as a precaution. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
    Families watch as flames spread through their building late on Tuesday night. Several surrounding towers were evacuated as a precaution. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The fire quickly spread through the building, gutting apartments and sending debris raining down on vehicles below.
    The fire quickly spread through the building, gutting apartments and sending debris raining down on vehicles below.
  • Dozens of firefighters and vehicles were at the scene shortly after the fire was first reported about 8.30pm on Tuesday.
    Dozens of firefighters and vehicles were at the scene shortly after the fire was first reported about 8.30pm on Tuesday.
  • Exhausted crews take a brief break and check their equipment.
    Exhausted crews take a brief break and check their equipment.
  • The fire in Sharjah lit up the night sky.
    The fire in Sharjah lit up the night sky.
  • Buildings in the area are tightly packed together and several were evacuated amid fears the blaze could spread.
    Buildings in the area are tightly packed together and several were evacuated amid fears the blaze could spread.
  • Many residents said they did not have home insurance and fear their lost possessions cannot be replaced.
    Many residents said they did not have home insurance and fear their lost possessions cannot be replaced.
  • The blaze continued into the night with crews remaining at the scene on Wednesday morning to dampen the building.
    The blaze continued into the night with crews remaining at the scene on Wednesday morning to dampen the building.
  • Some tenants managed to grab a handful of possessions before fleeing the tower.
    Some tenants managed to grab a handful of possessions before fleeing the tower.
  • Residents watch on as the fire is contained.
    Residents watch on as the fire is contained.
  • The fire in Sharjah was reported after 8.30pm.
    The fire in Sharjah was reported after 8.30pm.
  • Damage to the rear side of the building was not as severe leading some to hope they can recover their belongings.
    Damage to the rear side of the building was not as severe leading some to hope they can recover their belongings.
  • A police officer collects testimonies from the residents. EPA
    A police officer collects testimonies from the residents. EPA
  • Police officers take residents' details as they try to arrange accommodation.
    Police officers take residents' details as they try to arrange accommodation.
  • There were more than 300 apartments inside the 48-storey building and many are shared by tenants and families.
    There were more than 300 apartments inside the 48-storey building and many are shared by tenants and families.
  • Fadlallahie Hassoun cradles his cat after escaping the building.
    Fadlallahie Hassoun cradles his cat after escaping the building.
  • The building burned for several hours before it was brought under control.
    The building burned for several hours before it was brought under control.
  • Charity workers from Emirates Red Crescent hand out water and juice and take down details to arrange accommodation.
    Charity workers from Emirates Red Crescent hand out water and juice and take down details to arrange accommodation.
  • Families fear they will not be allowed to return to collect belongings for days if not weeks.
    Families fear they will not be allowed to return to collect belongings for days if not weeks.
  • Civil Defence forces extinguish the fire. EPA
    Civil Defence forces extinguish the fire. EPA
  • People stand on a bridge and watch a fire that erupts in a 48-storey residential tower in Sharjah. AFP
    People stand on a bridge and watch a fire that erupts in a 48-storey residential tower in Sharjah. AFP
  • Residents of the burning high-rise building look on as fire-fighting efforts continue. EPA
    Residents of the burning high-rise building look on as fire-fighting efforts continue. EPA

Fire engulfs Sharjah's Abbco Tower - in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

Hundreds of tenants hurriedly left the 48-storey Abbco Tower in Sharjah on Tuesday evening as the building got engulfed in flames.

Firefighters worked through the night to douse the flames, and emergency services confirmed that seven people were treated for smoke inhalation.

You can read the full story here

Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

Al Jazira's foreign quartet for 2017/18

Romarinho, Brazil

Lassana Diarra, France

Sardor Rashidov, Uzbekistan

Mbark Boussoufa, Morocco

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

RESULT

Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')

 

Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)

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Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kill%20
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Bharat

Director: Ali Abbas Zafar

Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

'Cheb%20Khaled'
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The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5

Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder /  3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km

Defending champions

World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack