Dh50,000 for Sharjah fire victims

Sharjah: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has ordered Dh50,000 in compensation for each family affected by the recent fire at Al Baker Tower which left many homeless.

Khalifa Al Tunaiji, head of the housing department, said Shaikh Sultan's order is aimed at helping the families to get back on their feet so that they can pursue a decent life.

Many families lost all their belongings in the fire that gutted their apartments in the 25-storey residential tower in Al Taawun last week.

Several people had complained that help was slow to come from relief organisations.

But officials said many organisations including Sharjah Charitable Association, Sharjah Club, Al Qasba have begun donation campaigns and helped accommodate the homeless.

Officials said charity associations are holding talks to extend the stay of the families in hotel apartments for up to three months.

Sharjah Charity yesterday said 135 families were affected by the fire.

Abdullah Bin Khadim, director of the Charity, said it is holding talks with the Red Crescent to extend the stay of families in hotel apartments. Families were initially given a stay of four to eight days. "We provided 20 families with accommodation at an apartment hotel. We gave Dh240,000 to the families in cash," he said.

Offer rejected

The building owner has reportedly offered the tenants a new place, but the majority have refused the offer, claiming that the rooms are smaller.

"The results from the Police Forensic Laboratory will be out in the next few days. We are trying to create new fire safety standards for all residential buildings. Since the fire started, official agencies have helped the families and we are all cooperating to help the families move on," said Brigadier General Abdullah Al Suwaidi, director of Sharjah Civil Defence.

It was earlier reported that landlords in the area are taking advantage of the situation and have raised rents.