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Sat, Jan 17, 2026 | Rajab 28, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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'Spent NYE searching for shelter': Fire-hit Dubai building remains closed, say tenants
Some tenants gained access to their apartments after a few days, but they could only retrieve essentials as they are yet to find accommodation
Days after a fire erupted in an Al Barsha building near Dubai's Mall of the Emirates, tenants were allowed to return for essential items like documents briefly. However, hunting for alternative accommodations is still challenging for them, with some having spent New Year's Eve moving their belongings or searching for a new place.
"I spent New Year's Eve looking for a place to stay; we still don't know anything. At least we were allowed to retrieve our belongings," said Christian Acosta, a Filipino chef who lived on the fourth floor.
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After a few days of searching, Christian found new accommodation, albeit beyond his budget. "I had to find someplace, so I just settled for it," he explained. He noted that many residents gave up hope and left the following day after the fire broke out on December 30 night.
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Ansam Mahmoud, an Algerian resident, has been staying with a friend but is now looking for rental options. She was supposed to pay her rent the following day and expressed frustration. "I've been in that apartment for a couple of months. I managed to retrieve half of my belongings but left the rest because I had nowhere to store them. Hopefully, I can get them when the building reopens," she said.
On New Year's Eve, Ansam spent the day trying to recover her things from the damaged building. Although she had plans to celebrate with friends, all she could think of was the chaos after the building fire. "This is not how I wanted to start the year," she added.
As the investigation continues and residents seek to rebuild their lives, the community remains hopeful for a swift resolution and a return to normalcy. Khaleej Times contacted the building management for comments, but there was no response.
The fire also affected businesses in the building, including an Arabian restaurant on the ground floor. An employee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that they were still barred from entering the premises, which has been deemed a hazard. "Dubai Civil Defence is still investigating the cause," he stated.
Describing the night of the incident, he recalled it began as a normal evening, with the restaurant bustling as it prepared for one of the busiest nights of the year. "We were taking orders and serving food when suddenly we heard screams and saw people rushing to exit the building," he said.
"We ensured all our customers were safe and then headed outside." The restaurant remains closed, with no updates on when they might be able to reopen. "We want to assess the damage, but we haven't been informed yet," he added.
The accident affected the preparation for New Year's Eve, which was in full swing at the restaurant. "It's typically one of the busiest nights of the year; we always anticipate a surge of customers after the celebrations."
When Khaleej Times revisited the scene on Thursday (January 2), the retail shops were still closed, and the area remained cordoned off to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations. Only one lane remained open for vehicles on the two-lane street, with Dubai Civil Defence vehicles visible around the block. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
ALSO READ:
Dubai building fire: Evacuated residents hunt for temporary housing 2 days before New Year
Al Barsha building fire: Residents evacuated, street near Mall of the Emirates closed
Waad Barakat
Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.
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