Fire rages on every floor of 35-storey Dubai apartment building

Fire rages on every floor of 35-storey Dubai apartment building close to Burj Khalifa: Authorities yet to confirm any injuries

  • Fire was extinguished, with black char marks from blaze seen on the building
  • Building is part of a series of towers called 8 Boulevard Walk by Emaar
  • Authorities have yet to confirm that anyone was injured in the fire  

A fire broke out early this morning at a 35-storey Dubai apartment building close to the Burj Khalifa, with authorities yet to confirm any injuries. 

The blaze, which started around 2.20am, spread through the building.

It was extinguished by 3.45am, with black char marks from fire damage seen stretching up the building. 

The building is part of a series of towers called 8 Boulevard Walk by Emaar, the state-backed developer in the emirate. 

Pictured: The fire races up the side of the building in the early hours of 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.

‘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.

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 

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 

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. 

 

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