Video reveals fire damage to Address hotel
The fire that broke out on Thursday night at The Address Downtown Dubai spread across the world’s media outlets almost as quickly as the blaze.
The flames erupted on New Year’s Eve at approximately 9.30pm, mere hours and mere metres away from the world’s most famous firework display, due to take place at the Burj Khalifa at midnight.
Following the incident at The Address Downtown Dubai, the Government of Dubai Media Office released a video featuring an eyewitness report from one of the fire brigade team on site at the time of the fire.
The video also shows the burnt and flooded interiors of The Address Downtown Dubai’s lobby area.
Featured in the video, below, is an interview with Dubai fire brigade lieutenant Hussein Rahoumi.
قائد فريق موقع الحادث: اخلاء غالبية نزلاء فندق العنوان داون تاون خلال 20 دقيقة ونشكر كل فرق الدفاع المدني الاماراتية pic.twitter.com/EamJuhaI47
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 1, 2016
During the Arabic language interview, Rahoumi tells Dubai Media Office: “As soon as we heard about the incident we headed to the location. We were close by when we got the call. When we arrived, the building was already on fire.”
“Within 15-20 minutes, we were able to evacuate the residents of the hotel,” he adds.
Lieutenant Rahoumi also thanks the Civil Defence departments across the UAE, in particular those of Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and Sharjah for help and reinforcements in controlling the fire. “They all helped and stood by us throughout the unfolding of this incident” he says.
In an official statement by Emaar, Emaar Properties chairman Mohamed Alabbar commented: “Within minutes of the incident, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police, Dubai Ambulance Services, the RTA, Dubai Heath Authority and all the governmental authorities concerned, coordinated and responded with maximum efficiency.
“Our immediate priority was ensuring the safety of our guests and colleagues, and we evacuated all of them safely in record time in a most orderly fashion. The authorities also ensured the safety of the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Downtown Dubai.”
Government sources have stated that 16 people suffered minor injuries as a result of the event, and one elderly person suffered from a heart attack.
The Burj Khalifa fireworks went ahead the same evening, as scheduled. Since the events on Thursday night, Emaar has confirmed that all guests at The Address Downtown Dubai have been relocated to alternative hotel accommodation within the emirate.