Dubai: On social media channels, users applauded the efforts of Dubai Police and firefighters who came to the rescue of the residents of Torch Tower in Dubai, after the building caught fire on Saturday morning. Witnesses who live in buildings nearby said firefighters did an amazing job to save the lives of the residents of the 352-metre-high tower.
On Twitter, @BinduRai wrote: “...And a big round of applause to #UAE’s finest @DCDDubai @DubaiPoliceHQ @DCAS_Ambulance #TorchTower”.
Tweep @maja_design commented: “Impressed by the evacuation plan and organization, after the fire at the #TorchTower thanks to the #dubaipolice #dubaifirefighters”. Twitter user, @Attitudega, also posted on the evacuation plan: “Over 1,000 residents are safe. Their evacuation plan works very well.”
Many said that the authorities tackled the situation with urgency. Some tweeps appreciated that they completed the job very fast, taking into consideration the bad weather and sandstorm. @Rasha_Alazawe posted: “Amazing job - fire on 60 floors in this bad weather, been put out in 1.5 hours!” @Novliuba tweeted: “... was sad night! But #DubaiFirefighters did a great job!”
Congratulating the authorities who succeeded in evacuating people without casualties, tweep @AbiBb9a wrote: “Hats off to the firefighters police and every single person who helped extinguish the fire and evacuate people safely. What the firefighters did yesterday is a work of art. A shout-out to the inhabitants of Torch building for an exemplary evacuation.” Twitter user @mdbiyani posted: “Congrats Dubai Civil Defense, police, firefighters, building management and the whole team”.
A resident with the Twitter handle @HSajwanization said: “Well done heroes of @DCDDubai & @DubaiPoliceHQ for getting everyone safe in fire of #TorchTower #Dubai! #HeroesOfUAE.”
Another resident, who lives in the same block as the Torch, said: “[Debris] everywhere, great job for clearing the building and putting the fire out #dubaicivildefence.”
According to Civil Defence protocols, firefighters need to evacuate the whole building before actively dousing the fire. They need to do a full clean sweep of the entire building to check for any resident left unaware or sleeping because dousing the fire could create steam that could injure anyone left in the building.
