One news outlet described the blaze as a "towering inferno." (Photo: Reuters)
Dec 31, 2015
A massive fire was blazing at a 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai on Thursday night, near where tens of thousands of people had gathered for the world's largest New Year's Eve fireworks display.
According to the Associated Press, "It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, which ran up at least 20 stories of the building, which would likely have been packed with people because of its clear view of the 828-meter (905-yard) tall Burj Khalifa."
Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, reportedly told the pan-Arab television channel Al Arabiya that the pyrotechnic festivities would go ahead despite the fire, saying: "Of course, it will not affect the celebration."
But on social media, people reported additional explosions:
\u201cThis fire is not contained. 2nd mini boom in the past 5 minutes. Not sure the fireworks is a good idea. Hope firefighters are safe. #Dubai\u201d— Joe Akkawi (@Joe Akkawi) 1451591609
Follow the fire on Twitter:
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Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
A massive fire was blazing at a 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai on Thursday night, near where tens of thousands of people had gathered for the world's largest New Year's Eve fireworks display.
According to the Associated Press, "It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, which ran up at least 20 stories of the building, which would likely have been packed with people because of its clear view of the 828-meter (905-yard) tall Burj Khalifa."
Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, reportedly told the pan-Arab television channel Al Arabiya that the pyrotechnic festivities would go ahead despite the fire, saying: "Of course, it will not affect the celebration."
But on social media, people reported additional explosions:
\u201cThis fire is not contained. 2nd mini boom in the past 5 minutes. Not sure the fireworks is a good idea. Hope firefighters are safe. #Dubai\u201d— Joe Akkawi (@Joe Akkawi) 1451591609
Follow the fire on Twitter:
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
A massive fire was blazing at a 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai on Thursday night, near where tens of thousands of people had gathered for the world's largest New Year's Eve fireworks display.
According to the Associated Press, "It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, which ran up at least 20 stories of the building, which would likely have been packed with people because of its clear view of the 828-meter (905-yard) tall Burj Khalifa."
Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, reportedly told the pan-Arab television channel Al Arabiya that the pyrotechnic festivities would go ahead despite the fire, saying: "Of course, it will not affect the celebration."
But on social media, people reported additional explosions:
\u201cThis fire is not contained. 2nd mini boom in the past 5 minutes. Not sure the fireworks is a good idea. Hope firefighters are safe. #Dubai\u201d— Joe Akkawi (@Joe Akkawi) 1451591609
Follow the fire on Twitter:
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