Fire erupts in Dubai residential highrise

DUBAI: A fire erupted in a residential highrise in Dubai yesterday, authorities said, days after a blaze tore through a tower across the street.

Dubai Civil Defence said yesterday it had put out the ‘minor fire’ that broke out on a balcony in the 78-storey Tiger Tower, which opened to residents in 2010. No injuries were reported.

The building is across the street from The Torch, an 87storey residential tower which was engulfed by a fire in early hours of Friday, with no reports of injuries. The Torch was also the scene of a 2015 fire that triggered a mass evacuation of surrounding buildings.

In January, Dubai announced tougher rules to minimise fire risks after a series of tower blazes in the emirate mostly due to flammable material used in cladding, a covering or coating used on the side of the buildings.

In the early hours of January 1, 2015, on New Year’s Eve, 16 people were injured when a fire broke out in one of Dubai’s luxury hotels.

In November 2015, fire engulfed three residential blocks in central Dubai and led to services on a metro line being suspended, although no one was hurt.

In just over a decade, Dubai has built dozens of futuristic skyscrapers which have transformed its skyline.

The city is home to the world’s tallest building, Burj al-Khalifa, which stands 828 metres tall, as well as iconic palm tree- shaped, man-made luxury residential islands. — AFP