SECOND BLAZE AT TOWER CAME BEFORE FIRST FIRE REPAIRS
▶ Residents told just weeks ago that go-ahead had been given for remedial work needed after 2015 blaze
The second blaze in two years to race up the south-west corner of The Torch tower in Dubai Marina came just weeks after authorities finally approved repairs to damages from the first fire that broke out in 2015.
An internal memo sent to residents of The Torch announced that Dubai Civil Defence had signed off on plans for the exterior repairs from the first fire, which damaged apartments from the 51st to the 79th floor.
Since that first fire more than two years ago, parts of the building have been boarded off, while the pool below had been closed. It is not clear whether the boardings were a factor in the pace at which the fire spread.
“After a very intense period going back and forth with Dubai Civil Defence, I am very pleased to announce that we have now received written confirmation from DCD for the approval to go ahead with the exterior repairs on the building and replace the fire damaged panels as per the fire safety specialists report,” stated the message sent to residents June 16.
“This signed and stamped document has already been sent to the insurance company for processing and also been given to the contractors so they can make their approval processes for procurement of the exterior cladding panels with the aluminium manufacturer. Once we get confirmation on the updated completion timeline we will inform all owners and residents accordingly.”
Residents were also told by management that the repairs were expected to take six to seven months to complete.
Dubai Civil Defence confirmed that no one was injured in the early morning weekend fire. As of Saturday night, the cause was still under investigation by Dubai Police.
“We started investigations, until now there is no indication that there was criminal intent behind it,” said Maj Gen Khalil Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief of the Dubai Police for criminal investigation department.
Yesterday, Maj Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, visited the building and instructed forensic experts to work as quickly as possible to determine the cause of the fire, according to Col Majid Al Suwaidi, deputy chief of Al Barsha police station.
He said the immediate response from Civil Defence was the main rain why the fire was extinguished so quickly “and the teams are very experienced with this kind of fire”.
When asked about the building’s cladding he said the type was used on the exterior of buildings worldwide, and some are more flammable than others.
All fire safety systems were in place within the tower, the head of operations at Dubai Civil Defence said.
“The building from inside had all the required systems installed. As a firefighting system it was working fully,” said Lt Col Feras Belhasa.
He said residents should have no reason to fear returning to the building.
“With the efficient [firefighting] system, and the fact that there were no human losses or injuries, and the quick response time, people should not worry.”
Civil Defence teams were also tasked with protecting parked cars being damaged by falling debris.
He said they received reports of 10 damaged cars despite efforts to move the vehicle.
Yesterday, the Torch Tower manager, Kingfield Owner Association Management Services, said it was providing accommodation for residents.
“We continue to co-ordinate operations from Dubai Marina and are working alongside the authorities on site in their efforts to restore services and access to The Torch. Residents have been provided with emergency hotel accommodation until further notice from DCD,” said Anel-Carline Beukes, head of compliance and communication at Kingfield.
Officials allowed residents displaced by the second fire to re-enter units in The Torch up to the 70th floor on Friday night and extended access to occupants up to the 80th floor yesterday.
Residents were accompanied by security as they surveyed their units to collect valuables.
John Taylor, an American businessman who survived both blazes at the tower, said he was among the lucky ones as his apartment on the 63rd floor was undamaged in both incidences.
“I just looked at it today and most of my stuff is OK. It’s just the damage on the outside of my balcony,” said Mr Taylor, who is operating officer of Gulf Positioning Services. “I’m one of the lucky ones, I think.”
As he ascended one of the two elevators that were being manually operated yesterday, Mr Taylor said he saw heavy fire damage on some levels and none on others.
“It was interesting because we stopped on the 50th floor first and it wasn’t too bad, stopped at 51 and the interior was scorched in the hallways,” he said.
Mr Taylor said he didn’t move out after the first fire because he never imagined the building would burst in flames for a second time within such a short span.
“My theory was lightening doesn’t strike twice, but that didn’t work out for me because lightning did strike twice.”
But he said that he was now planning on finding new accommodation.
My theory was lightning doesn’t strike twice, but that didn’t work out for me because lightning did strike twice