Traders search for hope after Dubai Creek fire - in pictures

The blaze gutted two boats that sunk into the creek after Civil Defence fire fighters battled the flames for close to three hours. The flames also consumed cargo stacked in cartons and sacks on the dockside.

One seaman is being treated for first-degree burns at Rashid Hospital, while three firefighters were treated for dehydration.

Workers, some wearing safety gloves, gathered blackened electrical parts while others loaded their bicycles and cars with satchels and trolley bags.

“Only when we remove the debris before taking it to the landfill will we know the final weight but we estimate it to be 150 tonnes on the jetty alone,” said Yaqoob Al Ali, head of Dubai Municipality’s specialised cleaning section.

“The food will be destroyed because the heat was so strong the food items have spoilt. We have ordered lorries to remove colas, juices, vitamins and food items. Owners have been told to select the rest that was not burnt,” Mr Al Ali said.

Civil Defence officials said the site was handed over to the Dubai Police and Customs department for investigation.

Fire engines were at the scene as a precaution to ensure the wreckage did not catch fire again.

Traders said they were devastated by the extent of the damage. “We lost fridges, batteries, light fittings,” Razak Abdulla said. “Some people will sell to scrap dealers to get some money for the burnt metal.”

The boats, due to sail to Iran, were not insured. Cargo handlers said owners rarely insured goods because of the high costs.

Workers salvaged bags, batteries, tiles and charred remains of electrical equipment from the still-smouldering cargo piled up on Deira Creek jetty a day after a fire ripped through two dhows and damaged a third. Photos: Pawan Singh / The National