Address Hotel fire in Dubai contained, probe begins

Dubai - Dubai Civil Defence information about the accident will be published once the investigation is complete.

The fire that raged through the Address Hotel in Downtown Dubai on New Year's Eve has been contained, the hotel has announced.

At least fourteen people were reportedly injured after the fire engulfed several floors of the hotel a couple of hours before the New Year fireworks started in the neighbouring Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Civil Defence said an investigation is being conducted to ascertain the causes of the accident.

The Crisis Management Committee, chaired by Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police Major General Khamis Matar Al Mazeinah, led the efforts to manage the incident, control the damages and secure the safety of the public, which was given top priority.

Al Mazeina praised the exceptional collaboration between all the entities that are part of the Crisis Management Committee and the extraordinary efficiency of the Dubai Civil Defence in controlling the fire and helping avoid serious injuries or causalities.

Dubai Civil Defence said the fire broke out around 9pm on Thursday and the initial information indicates that it originated from the 20th floor of the hotel. All information about the accident will be published once the investigation is complete.

Civil Defence personnel from various units were seen fighting the flames early on Friday morning while the hotel was under the custody of the Dubai Police. Smoke continued to billow from the hotel as cooling operations went on till late afternoon.

"The fire in the hotel has been contained," a spokesperson of the hotel said in statement issued around 4:45pm. The hotel said all guests and employees were safely evacuated and guests have been put up in various hotels in the city.

"All our guests and employees were safely evacuated. Guests have been provided with alternate accommodation in various hotels in Dubai. We are sincerely thankful to these hotels for their support and cooperation.

"We have also set up a hotline number and email address for the guests, and have a dedicated team assigned for them."

The hotel had posted the hotline number and the email address on social media:

In the statement on Friday evening, the hotel thanked the authorities. "We would like to express our gratitude to the authorities for their immediate and professional support. An investigation is ongoing and details will be provided once they are ascertained," the statement said.

"Our top priority is the well-being of our guests and colleagues. We are working around-the-clock to ensure that," it added.

sajila@khaleejtimes.com

A huge fire broke out at Dubai's famous The Address hotel in Downtown Dubai, last night, near Dubai Mall. Occupants were evacuated while fire brigade pressed into action to extinguish the fire.

12.29 am (January 1)

11.45 pm

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: An explosion, possibly from a gas cylinder at a restaurant, has been heard at the building and the fire continues. EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: An explosion, possibly from a gas cylinder at a restaurant, has been heard at the building and the fire continues.

11.36 pm

11.34 pm

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: Suresh Yadav, an Indian tourist, said: "It is amazing how the security is placed at the right place. The air is filled with the soot that is pouring down on us from all directions. It is a horrible scene. But we are told that the celebrations will go on as usual."

11.29 pm

11.18 pm

14 people are being treated for suffocation, smoke inhalation, says Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, commander-in-chief, Dubai Police.

10.52 pm

10.48 pm

"New Year celebrations will continue as planned," said Mona Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai Media Office.

10:35 pm

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: Talking to Khaleej Times, Sakshi Zen, an Indian tourist said the fire is 'pathetic' with ashes pouring down. She said: "When the fire started most of the people were vacated. We came here to watch the fire works..its a tragic accident. Right now there are so many ambulances and helicopters trying get things under control."

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: Shivangi Sharma, a resident of Dubai who was at the spot when the fire broke said: "At first there was only one part of the building that was on fire. Soon it spread over to the entire structure, everyone was running around in all direction. Currently the building is completely blackened out. It is terrible to see the structure in ruins. It was a landmark in downtown."

10:00 pm

The fire erupted just hours before the huge New Year celebrations at Downtown Dubai. The area was full with revellers who reached the place to witness the grand fireworks at Burj Khalifa, close to The Address.

Dubai Media Office took to Twitter to inform people about the fire:

9:56pm

9:50 pm

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: According to our reporter on the site of the fire is stronger at the base. The barricades have been removed for people to move out.

Burning debris rained down from the building as firetrucks raced to the scene. It was not immediately clear if anyone was wounded in the blaze.

Burj Khalifa is half lit and feeder buses are moving out empty. Fifteen to twenty buildings around the hotel are covered in a thick plume of smoke.

Details about the fire is not yet available.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are received.

• Dubai