Sharjah’s cladding safety initiative prevents the recent tower fire disaster

Sharjah: Recent safety directives issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, are being credited with preventing a potentially catastrophic fire in a residential high-rise.

The requirement to remove non-fire-resistant aluminum cladding from all building façades across the emirate played a critical role in containing a fire that broke out last week in an apartment within the Sharjah tower.

Thanks to the building’s compliance with this directive, the flames were confined to the unit of origin and did not spread to other parts of the tower. Civil defence teams arrived at the scene swiftly, executing an organised evacuation and bringing the fire under control in record time. At least five people died while trying to escape the fire, and a number of injuries were also reported.

Brigadier Sami Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, explained to Gulf News the real-life impact of the safety measures taken to avert fires form spreading in towers.

“The removal of flammable aluminum cladding helped prevent the fire from escalating. The recent fire containment is a clear example of how proactive safety regulations can save lives and property.”

Cause of recent tower fire

Preliminary investigations by the Civil Defence Fire Lab revealed an electrical overload as the cause of the fire. According to Brigadier Al Naqbi, overheating occurred due to excessive power consumption on a transformer, which led to the ignition of surrounding flammable materials. Initial findings suggest the apartment may have been occupied beyond its designed capacity, further stressing the electrical systems.

A specialised committee has been formed to conduct a full review of the building’s licensing and safety approvals. Should violations or negligence be confirmed, legal action will be taken against the building’s management.

Vigilance and prevention

In light of the incident, Brigadier Al Naqbi issued a series of fire safety recommendations for both property owners and residents.

These include:

He also reminded the public that in the event of a fire — particularly in high-rise buildings — residents should never use elevators and must evacuate via stairwells, which are the designated safe escape routes.

Sharjah’s Commitment to Safety

Sharjah has made notable progress in enhancing building safety standards. Last year, the emirate carried out a large-scale inspection campaign targeting residential and commercial buildings. Numerous violations were recorded, and building owners were fined and required to make immediate safety upgrades.

“This latest fire incident could have had far more serious consequences,” said Brigadier Al Naqbi. “But the foresight of His Highness the Ruler and the proactive enforcement of safety standards made all the difference. It’s a reminder to us all of the importance of compliance and preparedness.”