Sharjah: Authorities are sifting through the charred rubble for the cause of a 25-storey fire early Wednesday that drove 125 families from their homes into the cold.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started on the first floor of the building and amid high winds spread across the rear face of the building as people slept but there were no fatalities.
Tempers, meanwhile, flared yesterday at the scene where some tenants said they received no aid and were forced to sleep in their cars or with relatives and friends.
Sharjah Charity, UAE Red Crescent and Sharjah Club were on the scene hours after the incident to log names and offer all help possible.
"They [charity workers] told me they didn't provide anything," said tenant Nader Osman. "That's why I was surprised to read that people were put up in hotels or got money as help."
Even those who received help said yesterday at the scene that three nights of accommodation will get them through the immediate crisis but some are still facing a bleak future given that they lost life savings, clothes and furniture.
No'man Damoodi, a resident of Flat 404, queried: "To what benefit is the accommodation if we have lost everything? I've lost my gold savings, university degree, laptop and passports."
Damoodi said he went to Al Baker Real Estate offices and demanded satisfactory action. According to him, the company offered to relocate his permanent address to a new building in Al Nahda nearby. Other tenants told Gulf News they were also offered to be moved to Al Nahda.
Without sanctuary, residents camped out at the entrance of the building yesterday. Residents were angry that their landlord has not helped clarify issues surrounding insurance and personal property coverage.
