Tweet
A huge fire has engulfed a 63-storey hotel in central Dubai ahead of a New Year's Eve firework display.
Despite the blaze at the Address hotel, the display at the nearby Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, started as planned at midnight.
Officials say the fire has been brought largely under control and 16 people suffered mostly minor injures.
It is unclear what caused the blaze, which broke out as large crowds had gathered to ring in the new year.
People were asked to leave the area around the Address Downtown Hotel, which was evacuated.
The fire broke out at about 21:30 local time (17:30 GMT) and appeared to engulf much of the building, a five-star hotel and apartment complex, within 10 minutes.
At the scene: Nadia Huraimi, BBC News, Dubai
As I watched the flames engulf the massive building, I knew right away it was the Address Hotel in Dubai's downtown district that overlooks Burj Khalifa. I also knew that it was fully booked five years in advance.
There were also thousands of people in the streets below and in the adjacent buildings, all waiting to view the highly anticipated New Year's Eve fireworks display, among them my youngest sister.
After checking on my sister, I hastily decided to head out to downtown Dubai in the hope of seeing the scene on the ground for myself.
As I approached downtown, I realised that the normally brightly illuminated Burj Khalifa was only half-lit and I could barely see the imposing structure amid the black smoke from the Address Hotel.
I did not expect to spend the next four hours right outside the downtown area, in one of the worst traffic jams I have ever encountered.
As the clock struck midnight, I resigned myself to ringing in the New Year among thousands of strangers, all gazing out of our cars towards Burj Khalifa's spectacular fireworks display, alongside a burning hotel.
It started on the 20th floor, officials said, and had not spread inside the building, they claimed.
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".
Irish singer Anita Williams, who was performing at the hotel when the fire began, told the BBC that people left in a "stampede".
"We left everything. There was debris falling down. It [the fire] just shot up through the entire hotel.
"Everybody was screaming, everybody was running... I thought: 'This is a film'."
Image copyright AFP Image caption Smoke from the fire could be seen obscuring the view of the illuminated Burj Khalifa ahead of the display Image copyright Reuters Image caption The fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa went ahead, apparently as planned Jump media player
Media player help
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Media captionFootage showed flames engulfing the skyscraper 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.
The BBC World Service Middle East editor, Sebastian Usher, says the display is a huge prestige event for Dubai, and authorities want the images that people look back on next year to be of the fireworks - and not of the blaze.
Tom Stroud, from London, who is staying near to the hotel, said: "It happened so quickly. There was smoke billowing everywhere and people running away."
A tourist, Michelle Duque told the BBC: "All of a sudden we saw this huge black plume of black smoke coming between the Khalifa Tower and the hotel.
"The flames burst out really big and before we knew it the whole of the Address Hotel was covered in orange flames."
Image copyright Reuters Image copyright Reuters Image copyright Reuters Are you in Dubai? Are you affected? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form below
Your contact details Name Your E-mail address (required) Town & Country Your telephone number Comments (required) If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.
Terms and conditions
Share this story About sharing
More on this story
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> Turkish president 'talks a man out of a suicide attempt' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> Sheep dog rescues flock from flooded river in Ambleside <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> Southsea promenade flood defence wall collapses into sea <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> Shahena Uddin 'beaten for years and denied water' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
Recommended by Outbrain
You Might Also Like
Top Stories
Munich police warn of terror threat Police in the German city of Munich warn that a terror attack may be imminent, evacuating train stations and asking people to avoid crowds.
29 minutes ago
Fire engulfs Dubai high-rise hotel 1 hour ago
Cosby sex case 'politically motivated' 7 hours ago
Advertisement
Features & Analysis
Twinkie defence
How a sugary snack can get a killer off the hook
Biting commentary
Sharks explain Australia's year in news
Not just any dress
Why the couple who took the picture of 'The Dress' now feel left out
Shakespeare quiz
Test yourself on the dates in the bard's work
Mosques in the forest
The amazing 600-year survival of the Baltic Muslims
Video 4:19
Dawn chorus
The man discovering the secrets of birdsong
Winning at death
Why hold a competition for best crematorium?
'You look disgusting!'
And five other body image trends of 2015
'We're doomed'
How you coped, or not, during #bbcdown
Advertisement
From Around the Web
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-p"> Ever look yourself up? This new site is addicting. If you… Instant Checkmate <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p"> An insane $625 intro bonus offer has hit the market NextAdvisor <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p"> 6 facts about having a colonoscopy Healthgrades <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p"> This New Fuel Could Kill Big Oil As Soon As 2016 Money Morning <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p"> A Ranking of the 2016 Presidential Candidates by Wealth Forbes <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-p">
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
Despite the blaze at the Address hotel, the display at the nearby Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, started as planned at midnight.
Officials say the fire has been brought largely under control and 16 people suffered mostly minor injures.
It is unclear what caused the blaze, which broke out as large crowds had gathered to ring in the new year.
People were asked to leave the area around the Address Downtown Hotel, which was evacuated.
The fire broke out at about 21:30 local time (17:30 GMT) and appeared to engulf much of the building, a five-star hotel and apartment complex, within 10 minutes.
At the scene: Nadia Huraimi, BBC News, Dubai
As I watched the flames engulf the massive building, I knew right away it was the Address Hotel in Dubai's downtown district that overlooks Burj Khalifa. I also knew that it was fully booked five years in advance.
There were also thousands of people in the streets below and in the adjacent buildings, all waiting to view the highly anticipated New Year's Eve fireworks display, among them my youngest sister.
After checking on my sister, I hastily decided to head out to downtown Dubai in the hope of seeing the scene on the ground for myself.
As I approached downtown, I realised that the normally brightly illuminated Burj Khalifa was only half-lit and I could barely see the imposing structure amid the black smoke from the Address Hotel.
I did not expect to spend the next four hours right outside the downtown area, in one of the worst traffic jams I have ever encountered.
As the clock struck midnight, I resigned myself to ringing in the New Year among thousands of strangers, all gazing out of our cars towards Burj Khalifa's spectacular fireworks display, alongside a burning hotel.
It started on the 20th floor, officials said, and had not spread inside the building, they claimed.
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".
Irish singer Anita Williams, who was performing at the hotel when the fire began, told the BBC that people left in a "stampede".
"We left everything. There was debris falling down. It [the fire] just shot up through the entire hotel.
"Everybody was screaming, everybody was running... I thought: 'This is a film'."
Image copyright AFP Image caption Smoke from the fire could be seen obscuring the view of the illuminated Burj Khalifa ahead of the display Image copyright Reuters Image caption The fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa went ahead, apparently as planned Jump media player
Media player help
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Media captionFootage showed flames engulfing the skyscraper 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.
The BBC World Service Middle East editor, Sebastian Usher, says the display is a huge prestige event for Dubai, and authorities want the images that people look back on next year to be of the fireworks - and not of the blaze.
Tom Stroud, from London, who is staying near to the hotel, said: "It happened so quickly. There was smoke billowing everywhere and people running away."
A tourist, Michelle Duque told the BBC: "All of a sudden we saw this huge black plume of black smoke coming between the Khalifa Tower and the hotel.
"The flames burst out really big and before we knew it the whole of the Address Hotel was covered in orange flames."
Image copyright Reuters Image copyright Reuters Image copyright Reuters Are you in Dubai? Are you affected? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
- Whatsapp: +44 7525 900971
- Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
- Upload your pictures / video here
- Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
- Send an SMS or MMS to +44 7624 800 100
Or use the form below
Your contact details Name Your E-mail address (required) Town & Country Your telephone number Comments (required) If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.
Terms and conditions
Share this story About sharing
- Video 'I was never so terrified'
4 hours ago
- Video Huge blaze tears through Dubai skyscraper
7 hours ago
- Eagle with camera flies from Dubai skyscraper
14 March 2015
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> Turkish president 'talks a man out of a suicide attempt' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> Sheep dog rescues flock from flooded river in Ambleside <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> Southsea promenade flood defence wall collapses into sea <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> Shahena Uddin 'beaten for years and denied water' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
Recommended by Outbrain
You Might Also Like
Top Stories
Munich police warn of terror threat Police in the German city of Munich warn that a terror attack may be imminent, evacuating train stations and asking people to avoid crowds.
29 minutes ago
Fire engulfs Dubai high-rise hotel 1 hour ago
Cosby sex case 'politically motivated' 7 hours ago
Advertisement
Features & Analysis
Twinkie defence
How a sugary snack can get a killer off the hook
Biting commentary
Sharks explain Australia's year in news
Not just any dress
Why the couple who took the picture of 'The Dress' now feel left out
Shakespeare quiz
Test yourself on the dates in the bard's work
Mosques in the forest
The amazing 600-year survival of the Baltic Muslims
Video 4:19
Dawn chorus
The man discovering the secrets of birdsong
Winning at death
Why hold a competition for best crematorium?
'You look disgusting!'
And five other body image trends of 2015
'We're doomed'
How you coped, or not, during #bbcdown
Advertisement
From Around the Web
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-p"> Ever look yourself up? This new site is addicting. If you… Instant Checkmate <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-p"> An insane $625 intro bonus offer has hit the market NextAdvisor <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-p"> 6 facts about having a colonoscopy Healthgrades <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-p"> This New Fuel Could Kill Big Oil As Soon As 2016 Money Morning <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-p"> A Ranking of the 2016 Presidential Candidates by Wealth Forbes <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-p">
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
- British Expat In The UAE?
Avoid Losing 55% Of £70k+ Pensions Get Your Free Expat Pension Review!
your.expatpensionreview.com - High Return Inv - UAE
£50k-£1m To Invest? Free Review To Get You The Best Offshore Rates!
expatsavingsreview.com - Math Practice - Ages 5-15
A K-12 math website kids love — Win awards, certificates, have fun!
www.ixl.com/Math