Cigarette butt or shisha coal caused Ajman fire

Ajman — The massive fire, which left 300 families homeless in Ajman, was caused by either a cigarette butt or shisha coal sparks, the Ajman Police have revealed.

The Ajman Police have said that the cigarette butts or shisha sparks fell from the fourth floor where the blaze was started and destroyed 500 flats.

Brig. Abdullah Sultan Al Nuaimi, Ajman Police Chief said that forensic investigation report on the fire proved that fire sparks that fell down from a balcony in the fourth floor ignited the flammable building materials stored there.

He added the forensic investigation also revealed that a number of shishas had been found in the apartments of gutted towers.

Brig. Al Nauimi, said that according to the forensic report flames spread to the cladding, which was built of flammable material, and that spread the flames to other towers.

The Ajman Police, civil defense, immigration department formed a committee that instructed the municipality to stop issuing construction licenses for new building that would use cladding in its facade. He pointed out that there are studies being conducted by the committee to find mechanisms to replace the cladding materials used in current buildings in the emirate to ensure safety and prevent fire accidents.

Brig. Al Nuaimi, said that the committee in coordination with municipality are working on finding alternative materials to the cladding and then oblige the landlord to use it.

He hailed the efforts of police in quick response to the accident and quick evacuation of the 12 towers to prevent injuries and death.

The police also launched emergency counter in the fire site to help the affected residents who lost their valuable documents.