Sharjah: Fire officials say a major tower fire here last week was difficult to control as the building lacked critical safety measures and firefighting equipment.

Firefighters were forced to rely solely on their own gear to douse the fire in the 32-storey Al Nasser Tower on King Faisal Road that forced the evacuation of 250 families on October 1.

The fire is the most recent in a string of tower fires in recent years.

In a media briefing on Sunday, Brigadier Abdullah Al Suwaidi, director-general of Sharjah Civil Defence, told reporters that investigation shows that failure to maintain alarm systems and other fire equipment was one of the main reasons that helped contribute to the fire spreading in Al Nasser Tower. “The firefighters had to use their own equipment to douse the fire as there was no hose reel or sprinklers,” he said.

The civil defence team are now questioning the company that provides maintenance services to Al Nasser Tower and is waiting for the report from the forensic laboratory.

Fire officials will then decide the penalty, which will likely be a hefty fine, Brig Al Suwaidi said.

Some of the affected families managed to return to their apartments after Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) restored power partially to some apartments while the residents of the remaining flats are still in hotels provided to them by Emirates Red Crescent until the building is made safe.

Brig Al Suwaidi explained that since this latest fire, Civil Defence is intensifying inspections in all towers, residential and commercial, in the emirate to ensure they all install alarm systems and also ensure that maintenance companies are regularly maintaining the buildings.

Brig Al Suwaidi said that fire officials will not tolerate those who put people’s lives in danger.

He explained that in cooperation with other departments, Civil Defence officials has made it obligatory for all developers and owners of new buildings to use high-quality, anti-fire cladding for exteriors to avoid fire incidents.

The Civil Defence has also intensified monitoring and control over maintenance companies that fail to carry out their jobs and follow safety measures.

“The violating companies will face hefty penalties,” Brig Al Suwaidi said.