Fire rages on every floor of 35-storey Dubai apartment building close to Burj Khalifa: Authorities yet to confirm any injuries
- Blaze started at 2.20am before spreading through the block, part of series of towers called 8 Boulevard Walk
- Dramatic footage shows flames engulfing an entire corner of the 35-storey building, close to Burj Khalifa
- Fire was extinguished by 3.45am, though authorities have yet to confirm that anyone was injured
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A fire ripped through every floor of a 35-storey Dubai apartment building close to the Burj Khalifa early this morning.
The blaze started around 2.20am before spreading through the block which is part of a series of towers called 8 Boulevard Walk by Emaar, the state-backed developer in the emirate.
Dramatic footage showed flames engulfing an entire corner of the building from top to bottom.
But by 3.45am the blaze had been extinguished and authorities have yet to confirm any injuries. This morning, black char marks can be seen stretching up the building.
A series of fires in tall buildings in skyscraper-studded Dubai in recent years has revived questions about the safety of cladding and other materials used in the country.
On New Year’s Eve in 2015, a blaze raced through the Address Downtown, one of the most upmarket hotels and residences in Dubai near the Burj Khalifa.
Pictured: A fire ripped through every floor of a 35-storey Dubai apartment building close to the Burj Khalifa early this morning
Speaking to the National World , Bindu Rai, who lives opposite the building, said: ‘My mother woke up when the fire started as her entire room was lit up.’ Pictured: Fire damage after the blaze
The fire was extinguished, with black char marks from the blaze seen stretching up the building (pictured)
Fire damage is seen on the tower after the blaze this morning at the apartment block (pictured)
Speaking to the National World, Bindu Rai, who lives opposite the building, said: ‘My mother woke up when the fire started as her entire room was lit up.
‘My building faces Boulevard 8 and from what appeared to us, the cladding on the left side of the building was on fire from top to bottom.
‘Fire had spread inside two apartments that were somewhere mid-way. For the rest of the building, it was limited to the exterior.’
Bindu told the publication that she could see debris tumbling to the ground at one point.
She saw firefighters and emergency crews at the scene. Her friend who lives close to the building told her that people have been evacuated, with some being taken to Rove hotel.
Bindu told the publication that she could see debris tumbling to the ground at one point. Pictured: The fire-damaged building
She saw firefighters and emergency crews at the scene. Her friend who lives close to the building told her that people have been evacuated, with some being taken to Rove hotel. Pictured: People survey the damage after the fire
Pictured: Investigators examine the fire damage after the inferno at 8 Boulevard Walk early this morning
The blaze was not immediately acknowledged by Dubai police and the civil defense.
Dubai Media Office and Emaar have not released statements on the fire.
Numerous blazes in Dubai buildings in recent years have raised questions about safety.
There has also been concerns over materials used in designing the buildings.
Pictured: The building before the fire occurred this morning in Dubai, near the Burj Khalifa
In April, a large fire erupted at the Swissotel Al Murooj Hotel in April. No one was injured in the incident.
On New Year’s Eve in 2015, a blaze raced through the Address Downtown, one of the most upscale hotels and residences in Dubai near the Burj Khalifa.
The Address Downtown caught fire at about 9.30pm Dubai time, with the flames appearing to reach from the ground floor up another 40-or-so storeys of the 63 floor building.
Those who escaped described how people climbed over each other in their rush to escape the burning building. One Briton was forced to carry his disabled mother on his back.
A medic revealed that at least 60 people were hurt, many with crush injuries, with officials saying one person suffered a heart attack.
The 200-room hotel – which also boasts 600 private apartments – would likely have been packed with people waiting in their rooms for the best view of the fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, which sits just across the lake from The Address.
Those waiting below found themselves in danger of being struck by burning debris falling from the building.
