Dubai: As smoke could still be seen billowing from the gutted facade of the Address Downtown, some residents made their way to the downtown boulevard to see for themselves the remnants of the fire that went viral on social media on the eve of the New Year, Thursday.

Police had barricaded the perimeter, closing off multiple areas in the boulevard, and motorists and pedestrians sought alternate ways of getting into The Dubai Mall and the restaurants around it. Dozens of police and Civil Defence vehicles were still on the scene.

According to an official statement, preliminary investigations showed the fire originated on the 20th floor of the 63-storey hotel.

Though there were no deaths attributed to the fire, police said 15 people were injured from the fire and one man suffered from a heart attack during the evacuation process.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, praised the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defence teams for their action.

Major General Khamis Matter Al Muzeina, Dubai Police Chief, said more information about the cause of the fire will be released to the public as investigations continue.

He said the National Crisis Emergency Management Authority, chaired by Al Muzeina, played a pivotal role in containing the situation on Thursday.

“We managed to bring everything under control in record time,” he said. “Our priority, above everything else, is to maintain the safety and security of the public.”

Al Muzeina said no casualties resulted from the fire, adding that all injuries were swiftly dealt with at the scene.

“Almost all of those injured in the incident were immediately treated at the scene, except for a pregnant woman and an elderly man who were taken to the hospital for observations. However, they are both fine and this was merely a precautionary measure.”

Al Muzeina said that the swift intervention of the Civil Defence and concerned teams were pivotal in preventing any more damage and bring the situation under control. He said none of the nearby establishments were being affected by the fire.

The government of Dubai was quick to act by providing alternative-lodging to the guests of The Address. A hotline (+97144238870) was immediately established to provide support to the affected and answer their queries.

A crowd had gathered opposite the Address Downtown on Friday morning. Some residents made their way to the boulevard to see the extent of the damage caused by the fire.