Massive fire guts sports shop in Dubai

Dubai: A fire broke out around 10am at a sports merchandise store opposite Lamcy Plaza in the Oud Metha area here on Thursday, but there were no injuries, civil defence officials said.

Black smoke was seen billowing from the store which was entirely gutted. The store was closed at the time of the fire.

Civil defence units rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control within 40 minutes. Police cordoned off the area, directed the traffic away and helped evacuate the six-floor building in which the shop is located, to avoid any casualties.

"It is very dreadful to see such a fire, especially in a residential area where there are more chances of people getting hurt," said an Indian expatriate who works nearby.

He also said that onlookers were quite surprised because the store was closed at the time of the incident.

"The store has two gates and both were closed," he said.

Firefighters from Jumeirah and Al Karama civil defence stations put out the fire.

A fire expert from Dubai Police has started investigations to find out how the fire started.