Huge inferno engulfs 67-storey Dubai skyscraper forcing thousands to flee
This is the moment a massive fire ripped through a 67-storey tower block in Dubai.
Thousands were forced to flee Dubai’s Marina Pinnacle after flames engulfed the skyscraper at around 9.30pm on Friday night.
Billowing smoke was visible for miles from the as crews battled to control the blaze for six hours.
The building is situated in the heart of Dubai’s affluent Marina area and is home to 3,820 people across 764 apartments.
All were safely evacuated without any injures, according to the Dubai Media Office (DMO).
DMO added on X: ‘Ambulance teams and medical staff are on site to offer full medical and mental support to the safely evacuated residents.’
Prateek M, an Indian expat, was in his 22nd floor home with his wife and young son when the fire broke out.
He told Khaleej Times: ‘Neighbours from the next building shouted and told me our tower was on fire. I grabbed my son and told my wife to head straight to the emergency exit with me.’
They joined a huge row of people making their way down the building through thick smoke.
‘We had to hold on to the shoulders of the person in front of us, he said.
‘Once we reached the parking levels, where it’s more ventilated, we could breathe a little better.’
The father hopes to go back to his apartment soon to assess the damage but his family have been moved to a hotel in the meantime.
He added: ‘We are safe, and that’s what matters. But we hope to return home soon.’
The incident also saw chaos on the ground, with the metro system suspended between Dubai Marina Station and Palm Jumeirah Station.
The cause of the fire is still not known but investigations are underway.
The Marina Pinnacle has caught fire in the past.
Back in May 25, 2015, a kitchen fire broke out on the 47th floor of the skyscraper and spread to the 48th floor, before being contained.
The skyscraper is located near The Torch, another high rise which twice erupted in flames in 2015 and 2017.
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