Khaleej Times

Ajman One residents collect their belongings from flats

Cooling operations completed, building handed over for investigat­ion

- Afkar Abdullah afkarali@khaleejtim­es.com

ajman — Residents of the less affected towers of Ajman One residentia­l towers complex were allowed to enter the building and take their documents and personal belongings from their apartments. Two towers, 6 and 8, of the residentia­l complex were gutted in a massive fire on Monday night.

Based on the instructio­ns of His Highness Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, most of tenants were provided with shelters in Ajman hotels, while some stayed with friends and relatives.

Abdullah Al Hamrani, Deputy Ajman Police Chief, said the tenants of less affected towers were allowed to enter their apartments one by one and get their belongings. They were accompanie­d by officers to the apartments to ensure their safety.

The tenants of towers six and eight were, however, not allowed to enter, as they still remained unsafe. Those who have lost important documents will be provided with letters from the Ajman police get new documents re-issued.

Forensic experts have started investigat­ing the cause the fire and evaluating the loss. The report will be ready within the next two days and tenants will continue staying in hotel until the issue is resolved.

Salih Al Matroushi, Director-General of Ajman Civil Defence said cooling operations have been completed and the site has been handed over to the site police for investigat­ion. Rescue units have also returned pets of residents which were saved and provided shelter.

Residents narrate nightmare

Residents of the building are still reeling under the shock and most of them are worried about their belongings.

Mohammed Amin, a tenant of Tower 8 said he was called by police to come to get his belonging, but he couldn’t enter the building as the police are still investigat­ing. He said when the fire erupted his thoughts were about his 62-year-old mother and his two little children.” I just carried my mother and pulled my little children. My wife followed us. We were barefooted and left the building in our pyjamas. The smoke was very heavy and flames started to enter the building”

Dipak, another resident, said he managed to climb down the stairs with his family and old mother and decided to stay with his relative in Sharjah until the problem is over. He said his problem is that certain medicines his wife takes are not easily available in Sharjah and Ajman. His important documents, wallet with cash and bank card are all in the apartment. His friend provided him clothes and shoes and food for the baby, he added.

Nirma, a resident of Tower 8 said when the fire erupted, all she was thinking of were of her two dogs. However, thanks to the rescue unit of the Ajman Civil Defenc, the puppies were saved and I really appreciate it.

Khalid Al Debsi and his wife Nawal Jubran, a newly married couple from Syria had moved into the tower just four days before the accident. When the fire erupted they rushed out in their night clothes leaving everything behind. They said they just completed furnishing the apartment a day before the fire and never thought such a thing would happen. The couple is now living in a hotel provided by Ajman government.

 ??  ?? A police officer pacifies tenants of the Ajman One building as they arrived to check their apartments to retrieve their personal documents. The fire that struck the building has affected 300 residents.
A police officer pacifies tenants of the Ajman One building as they arrived to check their apartments to retrieve their personal documents. The fire that struck the building has affected 300 residents.

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