Two jump to death as fire breaks out in flat

Dubai - According to a top Civil Defence official, 22 people were living in the apartment.

Read more...
by

Amira Agarib

Published: Wed 9 Sep 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Wed 9 Sep 2015, 8:55 AM

Two Pakistanis died after they attempted to escape a blaze in their apartment by jumping off their balcony in Dubai's International City on Monday. A third resident of the one-bedroom apartment sustained serious burns and is recuperating in a critical state.
According to a top Civil Defence official, 22 people were living in the apartment.
Brigadier Ahmed Obaid Al Sayegh, assistant commander-in-chief of Dubai Civil Defence for rescue affairs, said the fire was reported from the England cluster at 9.42am. Fire brigades from Rashidiya station rushed to the site and brought the fire under control within half an hour.
Investigations revealed that the fire broke out in the kitchen and spread quickly to the rest of the apartment, engulfing it in thick smoke. Two men panicked and jumped off the third-floor balcony to escape the blaze.
The firefighters rescued seven men from the apartment.
Al Sayegh said the apartment has a room, lounge and a kitchen. Ten people were living in the hall and 12 in the bedroom.
The forensic department of the Dubai Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
The Dubai Civil Defence has warned about the danger of too many people sharing an apartment. The authority stressed the need to comply with housing controls established by the government.
amira@khaleejtimes.com

Amira Agarib

Published: Wed 9 Sep 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Wed 9 Sep 2015, 8:55 AM

Recommended for you