Dubai: Residents of Zen Tower in Dubai, which caught fire on May 13, said on Sunday they are anxious to clean their apartments and receive an official report from authorities on the incident.
Only one person suffered a slight injury while all other residents were evacuated safely.
Following the fire, dozens of tenants and homeowners of the 15-storey building were allowed by Dubai Police to collect limited items, such as passports and valuables.
On Sunday, the tower residents said they want to revisit their homes to clean up the mess and take out more belongings. However, they added, they have not been able to secure permission.
Access to the tower, which houses 74 apartments, has been cordoned off and security guards are stationed outside.
Also, the residents said, they are waiting for an official report on the incident from the police so they can move forward with insurance claims.
A Dubai Police official told Gulf News that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Last week, Dubai Civil Defence tweeted a denial of reports on social media and in the press that claimed the cause of the fire had been determined.
Meanwhile, the residents who had been lodged in hotels for a week after the fire, at no charge to them, have since been making their own arrangements.
Sharif Shamel, an Egyptian expat who lives on the eighth floor, said: “We’re waiting for the police report. And we want to visit at our apartments again so we can clean up. There’s food rotting in the fridges; there’s soot everywhere. We also want to retrieve some more belongings this time, but so far we haven’t gotten permission.”
Shamel said he is staying at a hotel now at his own expense.
Pakistani expat Amad Habib, who lives on the fourth floor, said: “We’re waiting for the [police] report. I want to go back to my apartment and clean it out. My landlord has provided temporary accommodation at another flat for me. I will see what’s the next step for me after that.”
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: “My car was damaged in the fire. It’s in a paid parking zone near the building. I’m getting daily parking fines, but I cannot move it because it’s damaged and I don’t have a police report — without that I cannot ask my insurance company to fix it.”
He added: “I’m getting bills from my phone company for the account tied to my apartment, which I want to cancel but I can’t, because the company says I must pay the balance of the contract first. If I had a police report, things would be easier.
“There’s nothing I can do but wait. I’ve rented a hotel apartment for a month. I don’t know what the next move is.”
A board member of the building management, who did not want to be named, said: “We’re working with the authorities and insurance company to get the report as soon as possible and move ahead on this. It normally takes 15 to 20 days for the report. There are a number of departments involved and officials have to be very thorough. It’s not an easy job or situation for them or us, or for residents. However, we hope to get a report in the next three or four days.”
