Blaze Swept Torch Skyscraper, Dubai.
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Dubai: hundreds of people were evacuated from one of the world’s tallest residential buildings on Saturday. The fire started on the 50th floor of the Torch, a skyscraper in Dubai's Marina district.
A witness said flames shot out from two sides of the building as glass and metal rained down from close to the top of the 330m (1,082 ft) structure.
Dubai’s police authorities said the fire appeared to have been caused by an accident rather than a criminal act.
Few dozens of fire-fighters came promptly and extinguished the fire in few hours hours after the alarm was raised about 2am local time. The blaze caused four people with minor injuries.
Residents said the fire had been fanned by high winds, dislodging chunks of metal and raining glass down on the area below the building.
Traffic in the area was diverted and residents of two other nearby buildings in the emirate’s Marina district, home to thousands of expatriates, were also evacuated.
Residents of neighbouring towers were returning to their homes about 430am local time, but residents of The Torch were told they would not be allowed back into the building until the fire officials had checked the building later on Saturday.
Residents of upper floors that were most affected were told it would be days before they could return.
The Marina area is home to dozens of towering apartment blocks and hotels, many of them built over the past decade. The apartments are popular with Dubai's large number of expatriate professionals.
| The fire started about 2am local time |
| Traffic in the area was diverted and residents of two other nearby buildings in the emirate’s Marina district, home to thousands of expatriates, were also evacuated. |
| Cleaning the area after the fire was extinguished |
