Sharjah tower fire: Owner and manager face legal action after fatal blaze

Sharjah: Legal action is being taken against the owner and manager of a Sharjah high-rise after a deadly fire exposed serious safety violations in the building, a top official told Gulf News.

The blaze, which broke out early Sunday morning in a 51-story residential tower, tragically claimed the lives of five residents — all of African nationality — who died while trying to escape the building and but fell to death.

The building, which includes 42 residential floors and nine levels of parking, housed six apartments per floor. Sharjah Civil Defence confirmed that 148 residents were successfully evacuated during the emergency.

According to Brigadier Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, the victims attempted to descend from the upper floors using ropes installed for ongoing repainting work. While one resident survived the descent, others lost their grip and fell. One victim landed on external scaffolding, which collapsed under the impact.

Investigation Continues

On Monday, residents were allowed to return to their homes, with the exception of those on the 42nd floor — where the fire originated. That floor remains sealed as forensic experts continue their investigation. The final report on the cause of the blaze is expected to be released soon.

Violations

Following a detailed inspection, officials uncovered multiple violations, including overcrowded shared living spaces and dangerously overloaded electrical systems — conditions suspected to have contributed to the fire.

“If the building manager and owner are found responsible for these breaches or for failing to meet safety standards, strict legal measures will follow,” Brigadier Al Naqbi said, noting that some offences may be referred to the judicial system for prosecution.

Before the incident, the building had previously been flagged for safety risks. Flammable cladding on the façade had been removed earlier as part of a Dh100 million government-led fire safety campaign. Officials believe this step helped contain the blaze and prevented an even greater disaster.

Fire safety campaign

Sharjah authorities have been actively replacing dangerous exterior materials on high-risk buildings. As part of the first phase, 20 of the 40 identified buildings have already undergone upgrades. In April 2023, 203 buildings were categorised as urgent cases, with a second phase targeting an additional 163 medium-risk structures — all over seven stories high.

The campaign involves replacing flammable panels with fire-resistant materials to minimise fire spread and provide emergency services with crucial response time.