250 residents evacuated after tower fire
35 PEOPLE TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION AFTER AC UNIT CATCHES FIRE IN 27-STOREY BUILDING, TWO WOMEN TRANSFERRED TO HOSPITAL
35 people treated for smoke inhalation while two women transferred to hospital after air-conditioning unit catches fire in a 27-storey building in Dubai |
Heavy smoke billowing from a burning air conditioning unit in a 27-storey residential tower in Silicon Oasis wreaked havoc on Saturday, hospitalising two women and prompting evacuation of 250 residents, officials said yesterday.
A total of 35 residents were treated for smoke inhalation treatment on the spot, the officials said.
A pregnant woman was whisked to Latifa Hospital for more serious smoke inhalation treatment while another woman was admitted to hospital for a fractured leg sustained during the building’s evacuation, Dubai Civil Defence said.
Thick black smoke creeping through ventilation ducts and into apartments forced more than 200 people, including children, to flee the Spring Tower building.
The fire was reported at 5.43pm and paramedics and firefighting teams from Al Rashidiya and Al Ghusais quickly responded to the incident, a Dubai Civil Defence spokesperson told
“It took 35 minutes to bring the fire under control. The fire did not spread beyond the room, which was on the [top] floor of the building, but it was the smoke that quickly spread through the AC system,” he said.
It took about four hours before residents were allowed back into the building, according to an eyewitness.
“An investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing,” the spokesperson said.
Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services dispatched six ambulances and two buses used in crisis situations within eight minutes, said Ahmad Abdul Hakim Al Aji, head of the emergency department.
“There were around 250 people who were evacuated from the building safely without suffering any serious injuries,” he said.
“The fire was not big but there were a number of people who had to be administered to during this incident and we had to send the buses to treat those affected by the smoke in an airconditioned environment instead of on the pavement.”
Al Aji said there was a delay caused as a result of people’s slow response to the fire alarm system when it went off, and this, he said, obstructed the flow of emergency work for all teams involved.
Ignored fire alarm
“Dubai Civil Defence did a great job in handling the incident and ensuring everything was under control in the shortest time frame, however, the issue was mainly with many residents who did not take the fire alarm seriously,” he said.
He called on residents to not ignore fire alarms and to leave the building as soon as they can through the fire exits.
Saleh Saleem, an Egyptian resident of the tower whose wife was among the 35 who suffered minor smoke injuries, said hundreds of people were trying to escape as soon as the smoke filled the inside of the building. He described the moment as “terrifying” for many.
“The smoke was too strong and people could not breathe,” he said in an interview.
“Within minutes, everyone was evacuated from the building. As soon as we heard the alarm go off, we started smelling smoke.
“We are glad that the fire did not spread into the apartments, but there was fear among many because of the amount of smoke that filled the entire building. Many required oxygen masks. The smoke was unbelievable,” he said.
It took 35 minutes to bring the fire under control. The fire did not spread beyond the room, which was on the [top] floor of the building, but it was the smoke that quickly spread.” Dubai Civil Defence spokesperson