Dubai: Fire broke out at a 75-storey residential tower in Dubai today, Reuters witnesses said, the fifth blaze in a skyscraper in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates in recent years.
Flames leapt out of windows toward the top of the Sulafa tower in the upscale Marina district, and 10 to 15 storeys appeared to have been charred.
Burning debris floated toward the ground and firefighters approached the site with sirens blaring.
In March, a fire broke out at a residential tower in the nearby Emirate of Ajman.
On New Year's Eve, a blaze hit a landmark downtown hotel in Dubai; in February last year, fire broke out at a 79-storey residential tower in Dubai, and in November 2012, a 34-storey Dubai residential building was partially gutted.
In some of those cases, experts said the flames may have been encouraged to spread by flammable exterior cladding, used for decoration or insulation.
The UAE revised its building safety code in 2013 to require that cladding on all new buildings over 15 metres (50 feet) tall be fire-resistant, but older buildings are exempt.
Flames leapt out of windows toward the top of the Sulafa tower in the upscale Marina district, and 10 to 15 storeys appeared to have been charred.
Burning debris floated toward the ground and firefighters approached the site with sirens blaring.
On New Year's Eve, a blaze hit a landmark downtown hotel in Dubai; in February last year, fire broke out at a 79-storey residential tower in Dubai, and in November 2012, a 34-storey Dubai residential building was partially gutted.
Advertisement
The UAE revised its building safety code in 2013 to require that cladding on all new buildings over 15 metres (50 feet) tall be fire-resistant, but older buildings are exempt.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Video: Massive Fire Races Up 35-Storey Dubai Tower Near Burj Khalifa Dubai Toughens Laws To Minimise Tower Fire Incidents Fire At Dubai Skyscraper Put Out, No Injuries Reported How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death J&K To Vote In 3 Phases, First Assembly Polls Since Article 370 Was Scrapped K1NGM4K3RS Inc. Aims to Bring Kabaddi to America Muhammad Yunus Assures PM Modi Of Protection Of Hindus In Bangladesh Hyundai Venue S+ Variant Gets Cheaper, Features Electric Sunroof Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.