Residents of Dubai’s Torch tower anxious and stranded

Residents and bystanders watch as Civil Defence crews fight the blaze high up on the Torch building. Antonie Robertson / The National

DUBAI // Residents removed from one of Dubai’s tallest residential buildings after a blaze early on Saturday are anxiously waiting to find out when they can return to their apartments.

Dozens stood around the 336-metre Marina Torch building at dawn, some still in pyjamas, as debris fell from the tower. The fire broke out about 2am and was put out by 4.30am.

Dubai Civil Defence said the blaze started on the 51st floor and spread quickly to near the top of the 79-storey building.

The cause had yet to be determined.

Seven people suffered mild smoke inhalation and were treated on the scene.

Egyptian Ahmed Al Atawi has lived in the 676-apartment building with his wife and 11-month-old son for less than a year.

Mr Al Atawi said the building’s fire alarm sounded almost every week.

“This was a really shocking experience and I am just happy that my family is OK,” he said.

“We heard the fire alarm at around 2.30am but we didn’t think much of it. I thought it was a false alarm until I looked out from my balcony and saw a group of people standing around the building.

“The security guard knocked on the doors and asked everyone to evacuate immediately. Many people were just standing near the building as debris and metal objects came flying down.”

Mr Al Atawi, who lives on the 16th floor, said that the Marriot Hotel nearby opened its lobby and restaurant to those forced out of the building.

“We were told if people wished to wait and rest at the hotel they could do so. The staff was very nice, brought us blankets and even opened up one of the restaurants so people could rest.”

Men unloaded a truck filled with about 30 new mattresses. One said the mattresses would be taken to the 97th floor of the Princess Tower, across the road.

Clive Thomas a British resident of the building who lives on the 22nd floor with his family, was waiting on a street opposite the Torch to see when he could go home.

“We have been living here for about four months, and it seems like our apartment is OK because we’re on the other corner of the building,” Mr Thomas said.

“When we left the apartment there was a faint smell of smoke but we didn’t see anything until we got to the bottom of building.”

Marie Sherwood, who lives on the 50th floor with her husband, said she was more worried about her pet cat than her apartment or belongings.

“The balcony is burnt and we don’t even know if there is damage to the apartment yet, but I just hope the cat’s all right – that’s all I really care about to be honest,” she said.

Ms Sherwood said she and her husband were not in the apartment when the fire broke out.

“We were in Abu Dhabi, otherwise I would have taken my cat with me,” she said. “We have a friend who lives in the Princess Tower who told us about the fire. He called us at 4am but we were asleep.

“We have friends and family we can stay with, but I would rather wait and see what happens.”

Sabastian, from France, said staying in the building was out of the question until he was 100 per cent sure it was safe, even though authorities were allowing tenants who lived below the 20th floor back into the building.

“I just want to go somewhere else,” he said. “I was told that I can stay but I decided to take my stuff. I will come back once I know we are totally safe.

“I’m going to reorganise with my company but for now I prefer to go. Thank God we’re safe.”