Abu Dhabi: Fifteen people were injured when a fire broke out in a residential building in Abu Dhabi's Al Khalidiya area on Monday.
The fire erupted on the mezzanine floor and caused injuries including smoke inhalation to residents, who were taken to hospital.
A firefighter suffered heat exhaustion while battling the blaze, which damaged 10 vehicles parked in the vicinity of the building and a number of shop windows.
The Civil Defence teams coordinated with Emirates Red Crescent to provide temporary housing and food for residents who were affected by the fire.
Maj Gen Jasem Mohammad Al Marzouqi, Civil Defence General Commander-in-chief, supervised the efforts to extinguish the huge blaze along with other senior officials.
They reviewed the precautionary measures taken to immediately contain the fire and prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent buildings.
Injured evacuated
Elaborating on the incident, Lt Col Al Ansari pointed out that the Civil Defence headquarters was alerted of the fire breakout at 12.07pm yesterday.
“Four Civil Defence and intervention teams, supported by ambulances, were immediately dispatched to the location of the fire. They promptly managed to extinguish the blaze that broke out and took the necessary preventive measures by evacuating the injured and people residing in the vicinity,” he noted.
He said that the teams provided first aid and medical care to the injured pending their transfer to hospital.
Maj Gen Al Marzouqi noted that according to preliminary inspection, the fire was classified as above average.
“Investigation is still under way to determine the circumstances and cause of the fire,” he said.
He urged the public to adhere to safety and prevention requirements in residential and commercial buildings, and to abide by the guidelines issued by the Civil Defence and other entities to provide the necessary prevention measures to avoid the occurrence of domestic accidents.
The Air Support Department took part in the operation, using wireless drones to broadcast live footage in support of the on-site mission supervisor.
Support operations
Traffic patrols and officers from the Community Police provided support operations, while the Security Media Department’s patrols helped keep track of the situational logistics on the ground and distribute resources accordingly.
