Dubai: A massive fire that broke out in the Torch tower at Dubai marina early Saturday morning has been brought under control, authorities said.
A medical response team said no fatalities were reported. It is not yet clear as to what caused the fire.
The blaze started on the 50th floor, a resident said. The Marina Torch is a residential skyscraper at the Dubai Marina. The tower is one of the tallest residential building in the world. The tower reaches 352m in height with 79 floors above ground.
No fatalities: Dubai Police
#DubaiPolice: A massive fire broke out at Dubai's Marina tower early at dawn. Residents were evacuated safely & no fatalities were reported.— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) February 21, 2015
It was at about 5 am in the morning that the fire was brought under control, according to some eyewitnesses.
(Photo: Gulf News reader Ajmal Abdul Rahman)
As the fire broke out, police blocked off areas around the Torch, which still had power. Lights were on in many of the apartments inside and multiple fire trucks and police vehicles were on the scene.
The fire blazes at 'The Torch', a residential high-rise tower in Dubai Marina, on February 21, 2015. (Reuters)
Residents of at least one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of strong winds, but they were later allowed back inside.
Two residents of the Torch said they were told the fire started around the 52nd floor, reported agencies. Flaming material falling from the initial fire then set a lower part of the building ablaze, they said.
One of the residents, Steve Short, 53, of Liverpool, England, praised the work of firefighters who arrived quickly. He said fire alarms alerted residents to the blaze and building management sent workers knocking on doors to ensure residents got out.
Another view of the fire. Photo by Gulf News reader Ericson Reyes
Video report: Digby Taylor, Head of Operations at GN Broadcasting
Updates
"This building has been plagued since opening with false fire alarms on an almost daily basis. I personally had threatend to call the civil defense on many occasions but was constantly fobbed off by the building management," says Digby Taylor, head of operations at GN Broadcasting.
Around 10 fire engines can been seen, water bowsers, police and ambulances.
Fire rages at Torch tower, Dubai. Picture by Digby Taylor/GN Broadcasting
The fire has started up again currently around floor 70 and above. High winds causing massive problems.
Fire has reached 70th floor, says Digby Taylor, head of operations at GN Broadcasting.
Debris falling from great height. Roads in Marina north all closed, debris on tram tracks.
Lights have gone out on the seaboard side of the building.
It's like the titanic going down, says a witness.
The biggest danger is molten glass falling, says a witness.
Considering the scene people are calm. Police officer reports no casualties so far.
People being rescued from the tower with smoke inhalation injuries. A resident said the fire alarm went off at 2.05am. "There have been three fire alarms every week recently and all were false. This time I heard it and said it must be false. But then I smelt smoke. I took my wallet and ran down along with my wife. We live on the 59th floor. "
Thousands of people have been evacuated and the fire is getting worse, according to witnesses. Chunks of masonry on fire are falling. The fire seems to have started near level 51. High winds are causing the fire to spread rapidly, says a witness.
Gulf News used a YouTube video of the fire by user Jaime Müller. The footage has now been removed.
