New Year’s Eve skyscraper fire in Dubai smolders into 2016

Firefighting teams managed to control 80 percent of the fire by 10.30 p.m.to ensure the New Year party continued. Witnesses said they heard explosions as the blaze ate away at one side of the towering structure in the heart of downtown Dubai.

Plumes of smoke were still billowing from the residential building Friday morning as firefighters were spotted dousing the last remaining embers. “Security services are investigating the causes and circumstances of the fire”, Dubai authorities said on Friday.

The couple made it safely outside the building and chose to head back to their own hotel, setting off on foot after being unable to hail a taxi in the confusion. All hotel guests were relocated. “I do feel suspicious of when a fire breaks out on New Year’s Eve”, he said.

In November 2012, the city’s Tamweel Tower was engulfed in a massive fire started by a cigarette thrown into a pile of trash outside the building. The aluminum material includes a plastic component, he said.

The BBC reported that black smoke and burning debris could be seen as firefighters arrived at the scene.

“Everybody was screaming, everybody was running…”

Photographers were able to capture the aftermath from inside and outside the skyscraper – showing the extent of the damage – including the water, smoke and fire damaged conditions of what once was a luxurious lobby.

“On this night in particular I was looking at it in shock, stunned silence, that such a tall building in such a built up area could go on fire”, he said.

“It was just something on my mind (a terror attack), but I must admit I was really, really calm and enjoying the night”.

A luxury hotel caught on fire lighting up downtown Dubai’s skyline just ahead of its elaborate New Years Eve celebration and fireworks display.

Television broadcasts and images on social media showed flames engulfing multiple floors of the hotel, which stands in an area where thousands of people were gathering to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Maha Abouelnebin saw what appeared to be a low flame while she was having dinner with her family at the hotel. We didn’t think then that it was anything more sinister. “[The fire] just shot up through the entire hotel”, she said.

The tower was evacuated and 16 people were hurt. We will make them as carefully and consistently as we can.