Trapped workers rescued from Reem Island building blaze

Abu Dhabi:  Fire erupted at a car park building under construction at Al Reem Island injuring several workers who were on site, Abu Dhabi police said.

"Although the workers rushed to top floors to avoid the fire and heavy smoke covered the area, emergency officials managed to reach those trapped and evacuate them to safety without causing casualties", said Colonel Othman Al Tamimi, Director of Emergency and Public Safety department at Abu Dhabi Police.

Civil defence, the quick intervention team, ambulances and rescue, as well as the air wing helped control the blaze at the island, about 600 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

"Several workers were injured in the incident. Construction materials stored at the basement of the building led to heavy smoke", said Colonel Al Tamimi.

The police control room received the information about the fire at about 3 pm. The car park was being built to cater to three buildings at the site.

The department has launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire, he said. He stressed the need to adhere to safety protocols to the highest levels especially at construction sites as they employ large number of people.

Recently, a mock drill was carried out at the top floors of a high-rise building under construction on the island to check on the safety procedures.

Rescue operations

The workers were rescued through the temporary lift of the tower as the firefighters were able to control the fire on the ground floors.

An Indian worker who was rescued from the 37th floor of the building told Gulf News that he waited for help more than two and-a-half hours.  He said he was alone on that floor so was not aware of the other trapped workers. 

The jubilant coworkers hugged him to express their happiness. 

A top official of the construction company who was monitoring the rescue operation said there was no casualty.  He, other company officials or police and rescue officials on the spot did not reveal any further details of the incident.

The workers gathered on the spot said the fire started from the ground floor of the tower.

They said many workers on the lower floors were rescued by the rescue team, extending the ladders from the fire engines.

They also said one of the rescued workers had burns all over his body. "He was given drinking water and taken to the hospital", they said. 

A company official who did not want to be named said the condition of the injured worker was stable.

- Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter, Gulf News