DUBAI 5 August 2017: The Dubai Civil Defence has yet again managed to successfully combat a major blaze that could have ended in tragedy.
No fatalities and no injuries – in such a huge fire – is in itself is a resounding compliment to the efficiency of the squad on the ground.
But then we – the residents – are aware of the skill with which the Dubai Civil Defence and other teams battled and brought under control the 10pm New Year’s Eve blaze at The Address Hotel in Downtown Dubai allowing the mesmerising fireworks to go on on schedule at sharp midnight.
The Torch Tower blaze in Dubai Marina may not have been as inspiring to top media as to get live coverage from the likes of BBC or CNN – but it did make headlines around the globe being one of the tallest residential towers in the world at 86 storeys.
And, it consequences could have been far more serious but for the Dubai Civil Defence team that successfully put out the fire in Dubai Marina’s Torch Tower, the world’s fifth tallest residential building with 86 floors, early Friday morning. No causalities were reported.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that the civil defence team was able to successfully evacuate the building and quickly control the spread of the fire that broke out on the 65th floor without any injuries.
Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director-General of Civil Defence in Dubai, were present at the scene, said Wam.
Now the question is what happens next?
Obviously, investigations will find out the cause of the fire – the second blaze in the premium tower.
Then, there is the question of when will the residents be allowed back in? And, what do they do in the meantime? Some developers have offered temporary accommodation in the past – but there seems to be no set procedure or obligation.
Was the building insured – and if yes – will flat owners be compensated – and by when?
Will residents/tenants receive compensation for goods lost and/or alternate housing?
For now, the fire is out. That was the main concern. Other issues can now be looked into.
ALSO READ: Major fire erupts @ Torch Tower in Dubai Marina – again
By Eudore R. Chand