Fire hits Dubai high-rise complex near world’s tallest tower

A large fire has broken out at a high-rise residential complex under construction near Dubai’s largest shopping mall, filling the sky with thick grey smoke. The site of the blaze is also next to the 63-storey The Address Downtown Dubai tower, which was heavily damaged in a fire on New Year’s Eve on 2015. There were no immediate reports of any casualties, as firefighters battled the flames and ambulances rushed to the scene. The fire appeared to be confined to the lower floors of The Address Residences Fountain Views - a three tower complex.

Cooling operations are under way and ambulance units are on site.

Dubai’s government media office

At least one of the towers was affected. Dubai’s government media office said firefighters had brought the blaze under control. No injuries were reported but three workers were believed to have been rescued from the building. The complex is being built by Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties, which constructed the mall and the hotel struck in the 2015 blaze. The three towers are 60 floors high and they had been due to be completed in April 2018.

Middle East