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Dubai seeks cause of massive hotel fire at New Year | Dubai seeks cause of massive hotel fire at New Year |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The authorities in Dubai are trying to find out what caused a spectacular fire to engulf a 63-storey luxury hotel in the city centre on New Year's Eve. | The authorities in Dubai are trying to find out what caused a spectacular fire to engulf a 63-storey luxury hotel in the city centre on New Year's Eve. |
Firefighters managed to subdue the blaze, but part of the Address Downtown Hotel is still smouldering. | Firefighters managed to subdue the blaze, but part of the Address Downtown Hotel is still smouldering. |
A BBC reporter says a significant fire is still visible on the 20th floor, where the blaze apparently started. | A BBC reporter says a significant fire is still visible on the 20th floor, where the blaze apparently started. |
The tower was evacuated and 16 people were hurt. But a fireworks show went ahead at the Burj Khalifa tower nearby. | The tower was evacuated and 16 people were hurt. But a fireworks show went ahead at the Burj Khalifa tower nearby. |
The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building and an iconic symbol of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). | The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building and an iconic symbol of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). |
The BBC's Marcus George in Dubai says streets around the Address Downtown Hotel have been cordoned off, but boulevards around the Burj Khalifa are open. | The BBC's Marcus George in Dubai says streets around the Address Downtown Hotel have been cordoned off, but boulevards around the Burj Khalifa are open. |
The fire broke out at about 21:30 local time (17:30 GMT) and appeared to engulf much of the Address Downtown, a five-star hotel and apartment complex, within 10 minutes. | The fire broke out at about 21:30 local time (17:30 GMT) and appeared to engulf much of the Address Downtown, a five-star hotel and apartment complex, within 10 minutes. |
Four teams of firefighters battled the blaze for hours, officials said. | Four teams of firefighters battled the blaze for hours, officials said. |
The Dubai government tweeted that 14 people had suffered minor injuries, one moderate injuries and there was one "heart attack case" due to "overcrowding and smoke". | The Dubai government tweeted that 14 people had suffered minor injuries, one moderate injuries and there was one "heart attack case" due to "overcrowding and smoke". |
Irish singer Anita Williams, who was performing at the hotel, told the BBC that people left in a "stampede". | Irish singer Anita Williams, who was performing at the hotel, told the BBC that people left in a "stampede". |
"We left everything. There was debris falling down. It [the fire] just shot up through the entire hotel. | "We left everything. There was debris falling down. It [the fire] just shot up through the entire hotel. |
"Everybody was screaming, everybody was running... I thought: 'This is a film'." | "Everybody was screaming, everybody was running... I thought: 'This is a film'." |
The fireworks display went ahead as smoke continued to billow from the hotel. | The fireworks display went ahead as smoke continued to billow from the hotel. |
Alternative accommodation would be offered to evacuated guests, the Dubai government said. | Alternative accommodation would be offered to evacuated guests, the Dubai government said. |
The BBC World Service Middle East editor, Sebastian Usher, says the display is a huge prestige event for Dubai, and authorities want the images that people look back on next year to be of the fireworks - and not of the blaze. | The BBC World Service Middle East editor, Sebastian Usher, says the display is a huge prestige event for Dubai, and authorities want the images that people look back on next year to be of the fireworks - and not of the blaze. |
Tom Stroud, from London, who is staying near to the hotel, said: "It happened so quickly. There was smoke billowing everywhere and people running away." | Tom Stroud, from London, who is staying near to the hotel, said: "It happened so quickly. There was smoke billowing everywhere and people running away." |
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." |