Dubai: There was no report of any Filipino being affected as a skyscraper went up in flames in Dubai Marina on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire broke out at around 2:30pm in the 75-storey Sulafa Tower, located opposite Oceana Towers and Westin Hotel, reported Gulf News.
Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, director-general of Dubai Civil Defense, reportedly said the fire was brought under control within two hours and there were no casualties reported.
All residents were evacuated to ensure their safety and the Civil Defense teams were conducting a complete survey of the tower on Wednesday night, the report said.
At least a dozen fire engines and more than 50 firefighters from five firefighting centers — Al Marsa, Al Barsha, Al Quoz, Al Rashidiya, and Al Satwa — helped in dousing the fire.
Air in parts of the building was still thick with ash in the early hours of Thursday morning. Some residents were allowed back in late on Wednesday night, said the Dubai-based news portal.
Earlier Wednesday, cladding and other debris could be seen flying all over the neighborhood as strong winds made the job difficult for the firefighters.
It seemed that the fire was playing hide and seek with the firemen, as flames would erupt from one floor even as they were doused on another.
Since the building was surrounded by two construction sites with the ground excavated, firemen were forced to battle the blaze from inside the building, despite huge risks to their lives.
The police reportedly cordoned off the surrounding area as a precautionary measure and no traffic was allowed on the roads leading to the residential tower, the report said.
