E-Paper
Sign In
Several Treated for Smoke Inhalation in Car Park Fire
ABU DHABI – Several labourers working at a car park building under construction on Al Reem Island were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out on Sunday afternoon. The island lies 600 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
- PUBLISHED: Tue 20 Oct 2009, 12:53 AM UPDATED: Fri 20 Sept 2024, 10:59 AM
Smoke billows out of an under-construction car park on Reem Island on Sunday. -Photo by Ramesh Menon
No casualty was reported in the blaze, which was quickly brought under control.
Recommended For You
The parking facility is being constructed to serve three buildings in the area.
According to Colonel Osman Al Tamami, director of Emergency and Public Safety Department, Abu Dhabi Police, the fire apparently originated in the basement of the building where a huge quantity of insulation materials went up in smoke.
The operations room received information around 3pm and fire-fighters, ambulances and rescue personnel were rushed to the scene, Al Tamami said.
The workers tried to escape from the heavy smoke that engulfed the building by going to the upper floors. However, they were plucked to safety by rescue personnel using hydraulic ladders.
Al Tamami said an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the fire. In a statement issued late on Sunday evening, Joe Ong, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer Tamouh, confirmed that a fire broke out in the basement between two buildings in its development, Marina Square, Zone D on Reem Island.
“The fire has been fully contained and we are relieved to announce that so far no casualties or injuries to our workers and other staff on the site have been reported. Additionally, there has been no structural damage to any of the buildings in the development,” he said.
“At the moment, it is too early to determine either the cause of the fire or the actual damage. We are investigating the incident to identify the cause. As a major developer, Tamouh has always been committed to providing high standards of safety to its workers and we will continue to ensure a safe and secure working environment for our construction staff,” he added.
Ong said the site had been cordoned, but construction work at rest of the development was in progress as usual.
Email: olivia@khaleejtimes.ae