Videos appeared on social media showing the 75-storey Sulafa Tower located in the Dubai Marina engulfed in smoke, which also show debris falling from the side of the residential building.
According to local media, the fire started on the 35th floor. Firefighters are battling the blaze and hundreds of people have reportedly been evacuated from the block. Ambulances were also seen rushing in and out of the area.
Dubai Civil Defense says no casualties reported at Sulafa Tower. Firefighters still working on containing the fire
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 20, 2016
It said debris had landed on balconies on the lower floors which helped the fire spread, and affect at least two third of the building. The 285m skyscraper which is the 23rd tallest building in Dubai and the 127th tallest in the world is popular for foreigners and expats.
Firefighters continue to work to put out the fire at Sulafa Tower pic.twitter.com/C1uOKRd5KL — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 20, 2016
A Civil Defence spokesman said: “We were alerted at 2:48pm. Currently firefighting teams from Al Marsa, Al Barsha, Al Rashidiya and Al Karama are working to put the fire out.”
An eyewitness tweeted from the scene: “Crowds have been moved away by police. Civil defense response was very quick I’m sure this will be under control in no time.”
Fire in Dubai marina Sulafa tower pic.twitter.com/bxXJqtfg47
— MantisCapital (@MantisCapital) July 20, 2016
There are reports which suggest that the roof of the building’s car park is also ablaze.
The Dubai Civil Defence say the fire started because of a faulty generator. The blaze has now been reportedly put out and residents have been allowed to return home. No one was injured in the incident.
This is the fifth blaze in a skyscraper in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates in recent years.
