Two killed after fire breaks out in overcrowded Dubai apartment

By the time Civil Defence's Al Rashidiya unit arrived at the scene, three men had jumped off the balcony to avoid smoke inhalation. Two died on impact and the third was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Signs of smoke damage around the windows of a third story apartment in the England Cluster of International City where a fire claimed the lives of two men after they jumped from the balcony. Antonie RShow more

DUBAI // Two people were killed and one injured after a fire broke out in a one-bedroom apartment in which 22 men lived.

The Dubai Civil Defence received a call at 9.40pm on Monday and went to a third-floor apartment in International City.

By the time Civil Defence’s Al Rashidiya unit arrived, three men had jumped off the balcony to avoid smoke inhalation. Two died in the fall, and the third was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Authorities managed to rescue seven men who were trapped on the balcony. The fire was put out just after 10pm.

Brig Ahmed Obeid Al Sayegh, assistant director of DCD, said the fire started in the kitchen, spread to the living room, where the furniture caught light.

He said 10 men were sleeping in the living room and 12 in the bedroom.

Brig Al Sayegh warned against living in overcrowded apartments, saying that such units are a significant fire and health hazard.