Dubai Marina blaze put out in under 3 hours

Dubai firefighters put out Sulafa Tower fire; no injuries reported. (Image courtesy Dubai Media Office)

Photos courtesy: Alexandra

Published Wednesday, July 20, 2016

By Staff

LATEST: A major fire that erupted at Sulafa Tower in Dubai Marina has been put out by the Dubai Civil Denfece authorities.

"Dubai firefighters completely put out Sulafa Tower fire in less than three hours; no injuries reported from incident," Dubai Media Office tweeted.

Director-General of Dubai Civil Defence, Major General Rashid Thani Rashid Al Matroushi, stated that no one was injured in the fire and that all residents were evacuated.

The fire did not cause major damage because it broke out at the corners of the residential building.

He added that the blaze, which is believed to have started on the 60th floor of the residential skyscraper, spread out to the eight floors above because of the wind.

Some fifty firefighters from five fire stations and rescuers from Dubai Police worked together to extinguish the fire, he noted.

The official added that the building's built-in fire extinguishers were used in bringing the fire under control and minimising resulting damage.

Earlier Report

A fire broke out today afternoon in a residential high-rise in Dubai Marina.

All the roads going towards Media One Hotel were closed. However, Al Sufouh Road towards Jumeirah Beach Residence remains open.

But traffic is building up in Dubai Marina and its vicinities. Residents and motorists in the area are reporting gridlocks in Al Marsa Street bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road flyover towards MAG 218 Tower. Traffic is at a standill in and around Al Sharta Street and Al Naseem Street.

According to Dubai Media Office, Dubai Civil Defense teams are now working on to bring fire under control in the Sulafa Tower in Dubai Marina district.

The residents have been evacuated to ensure their safety. The building is located near The Torch Tower, which was also engulfed in a blaze last year.

The world’s 6 tallest towers in Dubai Marina

فرق الدفاع المدني خلال عمليات اطفاء حريق برج سلافة والسيطرة عليه لعدم انتشاره pic.twitter.com/g5n8HpXYlu
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 20, 2016

Dubai Civil Defense said no casualties reported at Sulafa Tower, but firefighters are still working on containing the fire. Reason for the blaze is not yet known.

My friend just shared this video of the Sulafa Tower fire at Dubai Marina - it's getting worse! pic.twitter.com/AseCnqXK3S
— Kiera Doherty ☀ كيرا (@kikipigeon) July 20, 2016

According to eyewitnesses, there were eight fire brigade vehicles on the scene to contain blaze which broke out at the 35^th floor.

The fire has spread to other lower floors due to the debris falling from the upper burning floors, eyewitnesses said, adding that the area around the building has been evacuated for the safety of the residents.

Video courtesy: Alexandra

“It is still burning and Civil Defence teams are trying to douse the blaze. There are not many residents in the tower as most of them could be in their offices,” said Anil Sree, an engineer working in an adjacent site in Dubai Marina.

Dubai hotel offers helps

The Westin Dubai has offered residents of Sulafa Tower to come to the hotel for shelter to protect themselves from the heat.

“To anyone affected by the Sulafa Tower fire, we are opening up The Westin ballroom should you need temporary shelter and refreshments,” the hotel tweeted.

Taxi firm Careem has also come forward to help the residents, offering them free ride to The Westin hotel's ballroom.

"Should you need a ride, our captains will take you The Westin for free. Enter code MARINA," tweeted Careem.