Fire guts apartment in residential building on Hamdan Street

Abu Dhabi: At least seven people ­- four children and three adults - were injured in a fire that broke out in an apartment at Al Yousuf Centre building yesterday morning.

The fire completely gutted the apartment in the 19-storey residential building in Hamdan Street. Glass shards fell out of the apartment and damaged four vehicles parked within the vicinity of the building.

"Seven people were injured due to excessive smoke inhalation. They were rushed to the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City by police ambulances," said Major Saeed Al Suwaidi, the director of the Technical Rescue and Quick Intervention unit in Abu Dhabi.

The fire broke out in the living room of a 10th floor apartment around 5.50am.

"Although the fire was not a major incident and took less time to put [out], smoke filled several floors of the building. So the residents had to be evacuated temporarily," Al Suwaidi said. The building is managed by the Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties (ADCP).

According to a civil defence official at the scene of the blaze, dozens of residents of the building, including children, were evacuated to safety.

"We were able to bring it under control in time and prevent it from spreading out," he said.

The quick intervention team, police helicopters, the civil defence, ambulances and rescue teams all helped in putting out the fire and rescuing the residents.

Scores of residents in the densely populated building spent their morning on the street waiting for the authorities to let them back into their apartments. A few distressed women shed tears as firemen battled the blaze.

The ADCP's maintenance team inspected the building to identify any safety concerns before the tenants were finally allowed back in around noon.

"I heard the fire alarm but [lingered] in my flat. Then the police called me on my mobile to move my car [which was] parked downstairs to help them attend to the fire... That's when I realised the seriousness [of the matter] and got out," an elderly Jordanian resident of the building said.

Denis O'Connnor, the chief executive officer of ADCP, said: "Our priority is to identify the residents who need to be relocated and provide support for them swiftly. Hotel accommodation will be arranged."

Salam Al Tumeh, ADCP branch manager, said the ADCP team got to the building shortly after being alerted of the fire.

"The Madina police station is enquiring about the incident and they will prepare a report in three days," he added.

Many residents, especially those residing on the building's top floors, remained in their flats, watching the action unfold from their balconies and windows.

Police cordoned off the busy street causing a traffic gridlock that extended to the adjacent Khalifa Street and Electra Street.

Are you aware of basic fire safety measures? Are you concerned about the safety of your office and residence? What steps have you taken to make them fire-proof?

The building I reside in Mussafah is also owned by ADCP. But surprisingly in my more-than-4-year stay here, I have not witnessed a single check of the fire alarm system!! There is no maintenance, checking, nothing for the fire alarm. A small fire in the building a year back confirmed that the fire alarm is out of order!! I believe only on God Almighty to save us from any mishaps!!
Mrs. Hussain
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 28, 2009, 10:49

I have visited lots of friends residences in Abu Dhabi and found out that most Emergency Doors/Stairways are blocked with lots of unwanted old furnitures. Issuance of circular to Building Owners to clear those unwanted things/Laundry Dryers blocking the Fire Exits (Fire Exits inspections)will ensure occupants' safety passage in case of fire evacuation.
Gloria V. Paruli
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 28, 2009, 10:07

what is the cause of this fire?
Augustin
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 28, 2009, 08:25