Sixteen dead and 9 injured in Dubai fire

Building owner under investigation for lack of compliance with safety codes, say authorities

Rijesh Kalangadan and Jeshi Kandamangalath lost their lives in the fire. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family

The couple had a strong network of friends and colleagues in Dubai where they lived for more than 10 years. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family

Sixteen people died and nine were injured in a fire at an apartment building in Dubai. Reuters

The scorched area of the building after a fire broke out in Al Ras district in Dubai. EPA

Residents stand outside the building. Reuters

Jeshi was a much-loved English teacher at Crescent English High School. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family

People will remember her walking in the corridors with a smile on her face, said Sharafudeen Thanikatt, principal of the school. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family

Prayers for Rijesh and Jeshi were read at a home they were building in Kerala. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family

Crowds of mourners outside the couple's home in India. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family

Mourners gather around an ambulance carrying the bodies. Photo: Kalangadan and Kandamangalath family

Gudu Saliyakoondu, a building security guard from Tamil Nadu state in southern India, died in the fire. Photo: Gudu family

Latest: ‘My brother went to help and never came back’

Sixteen people died and nine were injured in a fire at an apartment building in Dubai, authorities have said.

The blaze broke out on Saturday in a five-storey building off Al Khaleej Street in Al Ras, where the old Deira market is.

The first crews were on the scene at 12.41pm, around six minutes after the first emergency call was received.

The fire on the fourth floor “resulted in the death of 16 people and injuries to nine others”, a Dubai Civil Defence statement said.

“Preliminary investigations showed that lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements caused the fire.

“Relevant authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to provide a detailed a report on the causes of the accident.”

No mention of arrests at this stage have been made.

Civil Defence “stressed the importance of residential and commercial building owners and residents fully complying with security and safety requirements and guidelines to avoid accidents and protect people’s lives”.

Al Ras is on the banks of Dubai Creek in the city's old souq district. One of the city's densely populated areas, it is home to thousands of market workers and traders.