Fire In Dubai Marina's Torch Tower; Roads Closed, Tram affected
One of the world's tallest residential towers caught fire early Saturday in Dubai's Marina district, sending flames several stories ...
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One of the world's tallest residential towers caught fire early Saturday in Dubai's Marina district, sending flames several stories high, but casualties have been reported, civil defense officials said.
The fire broke out at about 2 am in the 86-story Torch tower on the northeastern end of the densely populated Marina, which is packed with multi-story skyscrapers.
Debris from the fire cluttered nearby streets after the blaze appeared to be extinguished. High winds whipped through the area.
The civil defence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were no reports of deaths or injuries. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
Police blocked off areas around the Torch, which still had power. Lights were on in many of the apartments inside and multiple fire trucks and police vehicles were on the scene.
Roads have been closed in and round the area as large debris was falling from the fire.
A resident of Dubai Marina, who lives in the building near the Tower, said, "We could see the flames from our balcony. It was terrible. The wind wasn't helping either."
She spotted the fire at 2.30am.
A resident of the building took to Facebook to inform her family and friends that they were safe.
"Scary night. Evacuated because my building caught fire across several floors. I am safe and waiting for them to put it out."
Residents of one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of strong winds, but they were later allowed back inside.
Roads have been closed in and round the area as large debris was falling from the fire.
A resident of Dubai Marina, who lives in the building near the Tower, said, "We could see the flames from our balcony. It was terrible. The wind wasn't helping either."
She spotted the fire at 2.30am.
A resident of the building took to Facebook to inform her family and friends that they were safe.
"Scary night. Evacuated because my building caught fire across several floors. I am safe and waiting for them to put it out."
Residents of one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of strong winds, but they were later allowed back inside.
Meanwhile, Roads & Transport Authority in Dubai (RTA) have tweeted about trams running in the area.
"Dubai Tram is non-operational in majority of the stations due to a fire that broke out in a building at Dubai Marina.”
"Large amount of debris has fallen from the fire on the tram track nearby halting the normal operation.”
"The Tram will be operating between three stations only: Al Sufouh, Knowledge Village and Palm Jumeirah.
"The authorities are working hard to clean up the fire area earliest, Dubai Tram service will resume accordingly."
Resident R.J. Morlock, 33, of Houston, shot video on his phone that showed bright yellow flames reaching what appeared to be several stories on two separate parts of the building. He said residents were nervous coming out but fire crews were able to bring the situation under control.
"I was really surprised they got it under control pretty quickly," he said. "It looked like it was going to go up."
The Torch opened in 2011 and is one of the world's tallest residential towers, according to developer Select Group.
The Marina area is home to dozens of towering apartment blocks and hotels, many of them built over the past decade. The apartments are popular with Dubai's large number of expatriate professionals.
Source: Emirates 24/7
The fire broke out at about 2 am in the 86-story Torch tower on the northeastern end of the densely populated Marina, which is packed with multi-story skyscrapers.
Debris from the fire cluttered nearby streets after the blaze appeared to be extinguished. High winds whipped through the area.
The civil defence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were no reports of deaths or injuries. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
Police blocked off areas around the Torch, which still had power. Lights were on in many of the apartments inside and multiple fire trucks and police vehicles were on the scene.
Roads have been closed in and round the area as large debris was falling from the fire.
A resident of Dubai Marina, who lives in the building near the Tower, said, "We could see the flames from our balcony. It was terrible. The wind wasn't helping either."
She spotted the fire at 2.30am.
A resident of the building took to Facebook to inform her family and friends that they were safe.
"Scary night. Evacuated because my building caught fire across several floors. I am safe and waiting for them to put it out."
Residents of one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of strong winds, but they were later allowed back inside.
Roads have been closed in and round the area as large debris was falling from the fire.
A resident of Dubai Marina, who lives in the building near the Tower, said, "We could see the flames from our balcony. It was terrible. The wind wasn't helping either."
She spotted the fire at 2.30am.
A resident of the building took to Facebook to inform her family and friends that they were safe.
"Scary night. Evacuated because my building caught fire across several floors. I am safe and waiting for them to put it out."
Residents of one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of strong winds, but they were later allowed back inside.
Meanwhile, Roads & Transport Authority in Dubai (RTA) have tweeted about trams running in the area.
"Dubai Tram is non-operational in majority of the stations due to a fire that broke out in a building at Dubai Marina.”
"Large amount of debris has fallen from the fire on the tram track nearby halting the normal operation.”
"The Tram will be operating between three stations only: Al Sufouh, Knowledge Village and Palm Jumeirah.
"The authorities are working hard to clean up the fire area earliest, Dubai Tram service will resume accordingly."
Resident R.J. Morlock, 33, of Houston, shot video on his phone that showed bright yellow flames reaching what appeared to be several stories on two separate parts of the building. He said residents were nervous coming out but fire crews were able to bring the situation under control.
"I was really surprised they got it under control pretty quickly," he said. "It looked like it was going to go up."
The Torch opened in 2011 and is one of the world's tallest residential towers, according to developer Select Group.
The Marina area is home to dozens of towering apartment blocks and hotels, many of them built over the past decade. The apartments are popular with Dubai's large number of expatriate professionals.
Source: Emirates 24/7
