DUBAI, Feb 21 — One of the world’s tallest building in Dubai Marina district caught fire on Saturday and thousands of residents were evacuated from the high-rise Marina Torch and other buildings nearby, China’s Xinhua news agency reported, citing local media Gulf News.
A file picture dated 06 June 2013 shows a general view of luxury hotels and skyscrapers at the Dubai Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A major fire was blazing in the upper floors of a skyscraper early 21 February 2015, in Dubai, with thousands of people evacuated from the building, media said. Flaming debris could be seen falling from the upper floors of the Torch, one of the tallest residential buildings in the world at 336.1 meters. The blaze began around the 50th floor and spread above the 70th floor, reports said. The building on the Dubai Marina has 79 floors. High winds were complicating the fire, and some people fleeing the building were being treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is yet unknown.
Fire broke out at the 57th floor of the 79-story tower at 2:00 a.m. (2200 GMT Friday) Saturday, according to local media Gulf News.
A witness said flames shot out from two sides of the building as glass and metal rained down from near the summit of the structure, which stands more than 336.1 meters (1105 feet) tall.
The blowing wind with sandstorm cause massive problems. To avoid falling debris on site, roads within two kilometers from the tower were all closed, and traffic in the area was diverted.
Workers clean in front of the Torch skyscraper where a fire was blazed in the Gulf Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 21 February 2015.
Residents of two other nearby buildings in the emirate’s Marina district, home to thousands of expatriate professionals, were also evacuated, the witness said.
A medical response team said no fatalities being reported yet. Upon the publishing of the news, Dubai authorities said the fire was extinguished.
Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Gulf Arab trade and investment hub.
— BERNAMA
Photos: EPA
