Fire engulfs high-rise apartment tower in Dubai

Hundreds of residents were evacuated from one of the tallest residential towers in the world, Dubai’s Torch Tower, when it caught fire early hours Saturday morning. Dubai officials said the fire began in an apartment on the 51st floor and spread up to the 83rd before it brought under control. Authorities reported no serious injuries, but said seven people were treated for mild smoke inhalation. Abu Dhabi daily newspaper The National reports 100 officers from nine civil defense stations took part in putting out the blaze.

I was really surprised they got it under control pretty quickly. It looked like it was going to go up.

R.J. Morlock, 33, speaking to The National

A blaze in the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi claimed 10 lives and injured eight yesterday when an illegal workers accommodation caught fire. The last fire in a residential tower in Dubai took place in November 2012 at Tamweel Tower and prompted strict reviews of cladding materials used in high-rises after it emerged the developer had used highly flammable aluminum and fiberglass sheeting on the facade.

World dubai torch tower