Towering inferno: fatal fire engulfs luxury hotel and apartment block in Dubai
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A massive fire has broken out in a high-rise apartment building and hotel in central Dubai, close to the world’s highest skyscraper the Burj Khalifia.
Dubai's spectacular New Years fireworks display went ahead despite the nearby Address hotel fire. #NYE2016pic.twitter.com/4fFKydsVx8
— Globe Pics (@Globe_Pics) December 31, 2015Burning debris could be seen cascading down from the 300 meter high, 63-storey structure,known as The Address Downtown Dubai.
Authorities say the building has been evacuated and the fire is under control, one person is confirmed dead and over a dozen injured.
At least 14 people injured from #Dubai hotel fire, government reports: https://t.co/fSeQpSx2napic.twitter.com/2fvLgnsA1L
— CNN (@CNN) December 31, 2015According to witnesses the entire building was swamped in flames.
Witness at the #Dubai hotel fire says people were screaming, running https://t.co/o4gZGJMFAkpic.twitter.com/7a7my6B1rq
— CNN (@CNN) December 31, 2015It is unclear what caused the blaze.
Thousands of extra security personnel were already in position ahead of a spectacular New Years fireworks display.
Despite the huge blaze officials decided to go ahead with the pyrotechnics .
As many as two million people were expected to attend the festivities.