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Dubai Hotel Smolders as Firefighters Tackle Last Gasps of Blaze Dubai Hotel Smolders as Firefighters Tackle Last Gasps of Blaze
(about 3 hours later)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Firefighters in Dubai worked Friday morning to extinguish the remnants of a blaze that consumed a 63-story luxury hotel on New Year’s Eve, a few hundred yards from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Firefighters in Dubai worked Friday morning to extinguish the remnants of a blaze that consumed a 63-story luxury hotel on New Year’s Eve, a few hundred yards from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
As of 11:30 a.m., according to a government statement, firefighters were still “cooling down” the skyscraper, as plumes of smoke continued to billow from the lower portions of the tower, more than 13 hours after the fire broke out. As of 11:30 a.m., according to a government statement, firefighters were still “cooling down” the skyscraper as plumes of smoke continued to billow from the lower portions of the tower, more than 13 hours after the fire broke out.
At least 14 people were injured in the blaze, and one person had a heart attack. No deaths were reported.At least 14 people were injured in the blaze, and one person had a heart attack. No deaths were reported.
The cause of the fire remained unclear, although Col. Saif al-Mazrouei, the director of Dubai’s traffic department, told The National, an English-language newspaper based in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, that the fire had been accidental and had started at the exterior of the hotel at the 20th floor. The cause of the fire remained unclear, although Col. Saif al-Mazrouei, the director of Dubai’s traffic department, told The National, an English-language newspaper based in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, that the fire had been accidental and had started at the exterior of the hotel on the 20th floor.
The hotel, the Address Downtown Dubai, opened in 2008. It contains traditional hotel rooms and long-term residential suites, many of them owned by investors.The hotel, the Address Downtown Dubai, opened in 2008. It contains traditional hotel rooms and long-term residential suites, many of them owned by investors.
The government said that Dubai Holding, the investment company that controls the property, was offering alternative accommodation to guests who had to be evacuated. It was not clear, however, whether the offer had been extended to owners or occupants of the apartments.The government said that Dubai Holding, the investment company that controls the property, was offering alternative accommodation to guests who had to be evacuated. It was not clear, however, whether the offer had been extended to owners or occupants of the apartments.
Tina Karakalla, who fled the hotel, said in a telephone interview that people yelled, “Fire, fire,” shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday as they ran into the nearby Dubai Mall — a high-end shopping emporium that includes a 22-screen cinema, an aquarium and an ice-skating rink. Strong winds delayed the efforts of firefighters to put out the blaze.Tina Karakalla, who fled the hotel, said in a telephone interview that people yelled, “Fire, fire,” shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday as they ran into the nearby Dubai Mall — a high-end shopping emporium that includes a 22-screen cinema, an aquarium and an ice-skating rink. Strong winds delayed the efforts of firefighters to put out the blaze.
To the astonishment of many observers, including viewers around the world following live coverage of the fire, the government proceeded with a lavish fireworks display at midnight, even as the blaze continued. Just before midnight, an image of the United Arab Emirates flag was projected on the Burj Khalifa, which overlooks the hotel.To the astonishment of many observers, including viewers around the world following live coverage of the fire, the government proceeded with a lavish fireworks display at midnight, even as the blaze continued. Just before midnight, an image of the United Arab Emirates flag was projected on the Burj Khalifa, which overlooks the hotel.
“Dubai’s successful New Year’s celebration is testimony to its steadfast commitment to its major projects and initiatives,” the city government said on Twitter.“Dubai’s successful New Year’s celebration is testimony to its steadfast commitment to its major projects and initiatives,” the city government said on Twitter.