Dubai Hotel Fire: Authorities Investigate Address Downtown Fire on New Year

Dubai authorities are trying to find out what caused a spectacular fire to engulf a 63-storey luxury hotel in the city center on New Year’s Eve.

Firefighters managed to subdue the fire, but part of the Address Downtown Hotel is still smoldering.

A significant fire is still visible on the 20th floor, where the blaze apparently started.

The tower was evacuated and 16 people were hurt. But a fireworks show went ahead at the Burj Khalifa tower nearby.

The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building and an iconic symbol of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Streets around the Address Downtown Hotel have been cordoned off, but boulevards around the Burj Khalifa are open.

The fire broke out at about 21:30 local time on December 31 and appeared to engulf much of the Address Downtown, a five-star hotel and apartment complex, within 10 minutes.

Four teams of firefighters battled the blaze for hours, officials said.

The Dubai government tweeted that 14 people had suffered minor injuries, one moderate injuries and there was one “heart attack case” due to “overcrowding and smoke”.

The fireworks display went ahead as smoke continued to billow from the hotel.

Alternative accommodation would be offered to evacuated guests, the Dubai government said.