Massive Fire Engulfs Dubai Residential Skyscraper

A fire at a Dubai skyscraper prompted thousands to be evacuated from one of the world's tallest apartment buildings early Saturday morning local time.

Images posted to social media showed the 79-story Marina Torch Tower engulfed in flames.

It was unknown what started the fire, but Dubai officials said the fire had been extinguished by 5 a.m. local time, CNN reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths, but several floors of the tower had been consumed by the blaze. Strong winds were helping the fire to spread, the BBC reported.

The fire was brought under control around 4 a.m. local time, Gulf Business reported, adding that only a few floors appeared to have been "gutted" by the blaze. A resident's video also claimed that the fire had begun to die down, ABC News reported.

Local media reported that upwards of 10 fire engines responded after the blaze broke out near the 50th floor, and that police had blocked off the area and evacuated nearby buildings. Resident Mehdi Ansari told NBC News that the fire had spread to 10 or 15 floors. A witness told Gulf News it was like seeing the Titanic going down.

Debris fell from the fire onto the streets of Dubai's densely populated Marina District, the Associated Press reported.

The Marina Torch, also known as The Torch, is approximately 1,105 ft. tall. The Torch opened in the United Arab Emirates city in 2011, becoming one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. It contains 676 residential units, according to CNN.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot