JLT’s Tamweel Tower blaze residents let back in to homes

Shortly after noon on Sunday, residents of the ill-fated Tamweel Tower in JLT were allowed back in to their homes in batches and escorted by Civil Defence and Dubai fire brigade staff.

With worry write large on their faces and fear in their hearts they began to make their way to houses that until yesterday held their lives and dreams.

"Everything is flooded," says a resident in tears. She managed to bring a suitcase and a picture of her children from her apartment on the 7th floor.

A resident returning with Dubai Civil Defence to Tamweel Tower in JLT. Photos by Majorie van Leijen

It was not yet clear who had lost what as only few residents were allowed into the building at a time.

The Dubai Civil Defence teams were at the heart of the early response and evacuation that ensured there were no casualties after the Tamweel Tower caught fire in JLT.

A resident returning with Dubai Civil Defence to Tamweel Tower in JLT. Photos by Majorie van Leijen

Speaking to Emirates 24|7 a commander of the fire brigade on location, one of many, said: "Right now the situation is under control. We are at the 24th floor, working upwards. We started from the 14th floor.

“We are fighting the fire inside the building now. I think we might be done in the evening."

Although officials have yet to investigate the fire, it seems the fire started on the roof and spread downwards. There were no injuries, confirmed the commander.

Several residents of the area and even those from the building were in praise of the firefighters some of whom risked their lives to bring the blaze under control.

Resident of JLT Ammar writes to the site saying:  "It was really horrible, we evacuated the building @ around 2 am and stayed in the street all night, must say that fire fighters were brave and great they did the best they could. God bless them.”

Danna David adds, “I was there all night the fire fighters are real heroes. Their lives were in danger but they worked hard.”

Traffic in the community was problematic as some service roads were closed. School buses were unable to enter clusters O, P R U and X.

Says a school director of a well-known school in Dubai. "There were 20 children who could not catch the school-bus to come to school. They had to come to school with their parents and came in late."
 

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