Flames engulf 86-storey residential tower in Dubai

A fire that engulfed a residential tower in the United Arab Emirates’ world-famous Marina in Dubai has been brought under control.

Civil defence officials said they had successfully evacuated the 337-metre (1,105ft) skyscraper, which has 676 apartments.

Onlookers filmed the blaze at the Torch Tower, one of the world’s tallest residential building which has 86 floors and is home to many foreign residents. It had been damaged in a fire in 2015.

Video footage posted on social media showed flames spreading up the building and burning debris falling down.

A statement from the Dubai Media Office said: “The fire at the Torch Tower has been brought under control. Cooling operations are under way. No injuries have been reported.”

It is not clear what caused the fire. A Dubai police spokesperson told Gulf News that it broke out on the ninth floor and spread to the upper floors. Civil defence and police were at the scene.

Cara Spillane tweeted: “Terrifying to see Torch Tower, in the area I live in (Dubai Marina) on fire now. Hope everyone gets out OK.”

Another witness John O’Nolan tweeted as he filmed the blaze from across the marina.

He said: “Massive fire just started in the skyscraper opposite us in Dubai Marina. Fire in Dubai marina getting bigger and spreading up building. Lot of debris. Can’t tell which tower it is. Not many sirens ... second fire now started at base of tower – growing very rapidly.

“Power has been cut to surrounding buildings now. Fire at top seems to have moved to the inside, while lower floors still blazing.”