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Fire engulfs Dubai high-rise hotel Fire engulfs Dubai hotel ahead of new year celebrations
(35 minutes later)
A huge fire has engulfed a high-rise hotel in central Dubai near the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. A huge fire has engulfed a high-rise hotel in central Dubai ahead of a New Year's Eve firework display.
Burning debris could be seen falling from the 300m-tall (1,000-feet) building. The government says there are minor injuries and most of the fire is under control. Burning debris could be seen falling from the 300m-tall (1,000ft) building as firefighters tackled the blaze.
The blaze erupted ahead of a major New Year's Eve fireworks display, due to be held at the Burj Khalifa. Officials later said 16 people were injured and the fire was under control. There is no word on the cause.
There is no indication so far as to the cause of the blaze. The blaze erupted near the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, where crowds had gathered to watch the fireworks display.
Up to two million people are expected in central Dubai for the fireworks. Crowds gathering to watch the display have been asked to leave the area around the Address Hotel. Up to two million people were expected in central Dubai for the festivities. People have been asked to leave the area around the Address Hotel, which has been evacuated.
Officials insist that the New Year celebrations will continue as scheduled.
Flames rapidly engulfed much of the building, a five-star hotel and apartment complex with more than 60 storeys, within 10 minutes.Flames rapidly engulfed much of the building, a five-star hotel and apartment complex with more than 60 storeys, within 10 minutes.
The Dubai government tweeted (in Arabic) that the fire had started on the 20th floor and has now been mostly been extinguished.The Dubai government tweeted (in Arabic) that the fire had started on the 20th floor and has now been mostly been extinguished.
However eyewitnesses say the fire is still raging despite the speedy response of the emergency services.However eyewitnesses say the fire is still raging despite the speedy response of the emergency services.
A tourist, Michelle Duque told the BBC: "All of a sudden we saw this huge black plume of black smoke coming between the Khalifa Tower and the hotel.A tourist, Michelle Duque told the BBC: "All of a sudden we saw this huge black plume of black smoke coming between the Khalifa Tower and the hotel.
"The flames burst out really big and before we knew it the whole of the Address Hotel was covered in orange flames.""The flames burst out really big and before we knew it the whole of the Address Hotel was covered in orange flames."
Another tourist told the BBC that she saw lot of debris coming down from the building.Another tourist told the BBC that she saw lot of debris coming down from the building.
"The problem is millions of people inside the Burj Khalifa cannot move anywhere because we [are] kind of waiting for the fireworks display.""The problem is millions of people inside the Burj Khalifa cannot move anywhere because we [are] kind of waiting for the fireworks display."
Are you in Dubai? Are you affected? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Dubai? Are you affected? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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