DUBAI // A barefoot Emirati dressed as a fireman sneaked up to the 35th floor of The Address while it was ablaze on New Year’s Eve, lit a cigarette and filmed himself saying he had the fire under control, a court heard on Tuesday.
M A, 34, told the court he had been a firefighter for 15 years.
“I moved from Dubai to join Abu Dhabi Civil Defence in 2014 and on the night of the fire I was there,” he said. “I contacted the head of the team and volunteered to help put out the fire.
“He agreed, and I was handed a uniform and a pair of shoes.”
Judge Fahad Al Shamsi asked: “If they gave you shoes, why were you barefoot?”
M A said the shoes were too big and that he had witnesses who could testify to that. He was charged with wearing an official uniform in public, impersonating a public employee and circulating the video.
“It is true I made the video but I did not circulate it among the public. I only sent it to a group of four work colleagues,” he said.
But it was seen by authorities and he was arrested.
Prosecutors told the Criminal Court the video on WhatsApp harmed Civil Defence’s reputation. In the video, filmed on M A’s phone, he said it was so safe he could walk around without an oxygen mask.
“He admitted he used an old uniform from his days with the unit and sneaked through the crowds without being noticed,” said policeman B Q, 36.
Psychiatrists concluded he was fit for trial. The judge ordered his release after taking his passport and the case was adjourned until March 27.
salamir@thenational.ae
