Despite fears and huge Dubai fire, New Year revelry still rolls on

On a New Year’s Eve haunted by fears of terrorism, a spectacular fire in one of Dubai’s tall towers captured the world’s attention. With few exceptions, the celebrations rolled on, and while fire still raged, the Dubai Media office declared on Twitter: “New Year celebrations in Dubai will continue as scheduled.”

As 2015 drew to a close, many people were bidding a weary and wary adieu to a year marred by attacks that left nations reeling and nerves rattled.

In Bangkok, site of a deadly bombing months ago, police flanked partygoers. In Paris, residents recovering from their city’s own deadly attacks prepared for scaled-back celebrations. And in Munich, police were worried about the threat of a terror attack.

A look at how people around the welcomed the new year:

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

In the megacity of Dubai, a fire broke out two hours before midnight in The Address hotel, in the area where a massive fireworks display was being prepared.

The five-star hotel is near the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. At least one person suffered a heart attack from the smoke and over-crowding during evacuation, and suffered minor injuries.

Organizers said the Burj Khalifa had been fitted with 400,000 LED lights and 1.6 tons of fireworks would be used in the display.

Burning debris rained down from The Address building as firetrucks raced to the scene. It was unclear what caused the fire, which ran up the 63-story building. The Address has 626 luxury apartments and 196 hotel rooms, according to Skyscraper Center, which tracks skyscrapers.

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FRANCE

The French are still recovering from the Nov. 13 attacks that left 130 people dead in Paris, and authorities were preparing for a possible worst-case scenario on New Year’s Eve. About 60,000 police and troops were being deployed across the country.

French President Francois Hollande used his traditional New Year’s Eve speech to warn that the terrorist threat “highest level.”

“2015 has been a year of suffering and resistance,” he said. “Let’s make 2016 a year of courage and hope.”

Paris canceled its usual fireworks display in favor of a 5-minute video performance at the Arc de Triomphe just before midnight, relayed on screens along the Champs Elysee.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the show was to be aimed at “sending the world the message that Paris

is

still

at

its is standing, proud of its lifestyle and living together.”

THAILAND

Less than six months after a pipe bomb killed 20 people at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, tens of thousands of people rang in the new year at the intersection with live music and a countdown.

Up to 5,000 police officers were in the area, with explosive ordnance disposal experts sweeping the area ahead of time.

ACHMAD iBRAHiM — tHe ASSoCiAteD PReSS Fireworks explode as thousands of people gather to watch, on New year’s eve in Jakarta, indonesia, late thursday. in the main business district

JoN GAMBRell — tHe ASSoCiAteD PReSS A fire runs up some 20 stories of a building in Dubai, United Arab emirates, thursday. the fire broke out thursday in a residential building near Dubai’s massive New year’s eve fireworks display. it was not immediately clear what caused the fire near...

MiCHel eUleR — AP France’s President Francois Hollande, right, talks to a armed police officer as he visits the security measures at the Champs elysees in Paris, thursday. French President Francois Hollande has told the nation that the terrorist threat is still at its...