Blazing Fire in Dubai’s Marina Torch Tower

By: Mirna Alsharif

           

            An aggressive fire broke out at approximately 2 am yesterday morning in the Marina’s Torch tower. Torch residents were evacuated in a hurry and forced to seek shelter elsewhere while many stood in the streets to watch the unbelievable inferno.

The Torch is an 87-floor residential tower, making it one of the highest in the world. The fire was said to have originated from the 51^st or 52^nd floor; the cause behind the blaze is under investigation.

Firefighters and Police were immediately on the scene, attempting to put the explosion out. Large pieces of metal scraps were falling off of the Torch tower and landing on surrounding surfaces. Fortunately, firefighters were able to put out ignitions caused by the dangerous debris.

Alia Abdelkader, a resident of the Torch tower, now finds herself having to check into a hotel. “This was a terrifying experience.”

The harsh, windy weather spread the flames quickly throughout the building, making it exceptionally difficult for firefighters to tame the inferno. It took about three hours until the fire was finally subdued, rendering all Torch residents homeless for at least a couple of days. Residents in neighboring buildings, such as the Princess tower, were also evacuated from their homes due to the risk factor.

Waiting in the streets, people were crying, praying and trying to stay calm. Some even napped from exhaustion.

The aftermath of the blaze is heartbreaking: the fire had spread below and above where the ignition had started, leaving two sides of the Torch in ashes. There is metal debris scattered all over the Marina area as a reminder of the unfortunate explosion that ensued.

“I’ve lived on the 19^th floor for about two years and I never expected something like this to happen,” said Abdelkader. “I’m still shaking. Evacuating the building was so stressful, especially because no one knew how bad the fire was. I remember smelling smoke then running down the stairs.”

Authorities will announce the cause behind the flames very soon; no foul play was suspected. Torch tower residents are currently being escorted back to their homes by security to pick up the pieces of the mysterious fire.