Tecom fire: Victims shifted to hotel

Families affected by a massive fire in a residential building in Dubai’s Tecom area have been shifted to a hotel.

The building management has made arrangements for nine families affected by the fire, as their homes were completely destroyed.

More than 100 maintenance workers took part in a clean-up operation as they cleared the 13-storey building of glass debris and charred remains.

“We are helping the families and providing them with all possible assistance,” said a spokesperson from the Saif Belhasa Group of Companies, which owns and manages the building.

The massive fire, which started on the fourth floor of the Saif Belhasa building, quickly spread to houses on the upper floors.

“Flats directly above the house where the fire started have been completely destroyed. We will start re-furbishing work once the area is cleared by Civil Defence and municipality officials,” added the spokesperson.

The building’s three elevators were also turned off as a precautionary measure. One of the elevators was started early on Sunday morning. Electricity supply was also restored on Saturday evening as the other families returned to their houses.

Mohammed Ameen was one of the tenants living in the building at the time of the fire. His flat on the eighth floor was one of the worst affected ones.

“Apart from a few clothes, there is nothing left in my flat. The LED television, home theatre system and leather sofa have melted,” said Ameen, who has also filed a police complaint.

“The management has been helpful by extending support and offering us a hotel stay. I hope they continue to help us,” said Ameen.

The other belongings in the house have become unusable, as water has seeped into the mattress, rug and wooden furniture.

Ameen added, “We don’t know how to claim the losses and we hope the authorities will help us.”- muaz@khaleejtimes.com