A gigantic, multi-story fire broke out in 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai hotel late Thursday night close to where thousands of people had gathered to watch a New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
via USA Today:
The Address Downtown Dubai is a five-star hotel in the heart of the United Arab Emirates city. It has 196 rooms, 626 residences and eight restaurants and bars. It is next door to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower at 2,722 feet. It is part of a mixed-use, large-scale development called Downtown Dubai. The hotel is also flanked by the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment center
The government’s media office confirmed the fire on its Twitter feed and said authorities are “on site to address the incident swiftly and safely.” The fire started on the 20th floor and was confined to an outside tower, the media office said. At least four fire department squads had responded to the scene.
The city’s transportation department director Col. Saif Al Mazroui told Sky News Arabic that no injuries had be reported.
The media office said that New Year’s Eve celebrations would go on as planned. Downtown Dubai had advertised an elaborate fireworks display that took six months to prepare.
Story developing…
Update: The fire seems to be going down, and the nearby fireworks display IS still scheduled to begin in the next 30 minutes.
DUBAI UPDATE: 90% of Dubai fire contained; 14 minor injuries reportedly recorded https://t.co/aLIGkMggTa https://t.co/QRoCcK45C6
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) December 31, 2015
#Dubai Right now #Hotel on fire#HNY #NewYearsEve pic.twitter.com/mrNoQQunA3
— Mohsin (@Mohsi_n) December 31, 2015
People are running away! This is so horrific!!!!! Falling on people's houses pic.twitter.com/gq9AXEyTJr
— AtiehS (@AtiehS) December 31, 2015
Cannot believe this! So scary. Really hope everyone is okay. #Dubai #NewYear pic.twitter.com/B1Jvc2sZyX
— Stuart McAllister (@Stu_McAllister) December 31, 2015
