Ajman fire victims will get relief in two weeks
Insurance company starts meeting residents
ajman — Owners and tenants of two Ajman One towers that were gutted in a massive fire recently will get full compensation within two weeks, a senior government official has said.
Of the affected families, 118 have been provided with alternative apartments and moved in to them on Monday.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ghalib Jabir, Director-General of Real Estate Investment Corporation (REIC), said that of the 500 gutted apartments, 50 are beyond repair.
The other affected apartments in towers 6, 7 and 8 will be repaired and the costs will be borne by the insurance company.
He said 118 families have been provided apartments in other buildings of the REIC in the same area. The rest of the tenants are still staying in hotels and will continue staying there until their compensation amounts and alternative apartments are provided.
Jabir said the insurance company is currently meeting with residents and owners to evaluate the losses and determine the compensation amounts accordingly. The fire broke out in tower number 8 of the 12-tower Ajman One complex on March 30 and spread quickly to tower number 6 due to strong winds. Firefighters from Ajman and other emirates evacuated all 12 towers in coordination with the police and rescue units.
Tenant thanks authorities
A tenant of tower 8 of the residential complex has expressed appreciation for the authorities’ swift offer of compensation. The Belgian national, Julie Gavage, said she had left for Indonesia for vacation just days before the fire broke out.
When asked about the condition of her flat, she told Khaleej Times via mail from Indonesia: “I have not seen it yet, but I was told that it was completely destroyed. “I am trying to get answers on what to do when I get back in a few days ...”
Gavage said she is not sure what to do when she gets back later this month. “I have booked a room in a hotel for a few nights so that I can asses the situation. I am not sure if anyone will pay for the hotel.”
When asked if she has spoken to the authorities or the insurance company, she said: “No. And I don’t know who to reach out to. But I do appreciate that they are trying to compensate the tenants.”