The blaze at the Address Downtown, one of the most upscale hotels and residences in Dubai, started around 9:30 p.m. Thursday. More than 12 hours later on Friday morning, Dubai firefighters largely watched the fire from the ground, unable at one point to use a water hose on a ladder truck.
Dubai authorities said at least 14 people were slightly injured, and one person suffered a heart attack from the smoke and over-crowding during an evacuation late Thursday.
Around 1 million people had been expected to gather around the Burj Khalifa skyscraper to watch the fireworks. Dubai's economy depends heavily on tourism.
(AP)
Smoke billows from the Address Downtown skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The blaze began Thursday night before
Dubai's annual New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the
world's tallest building which sits nearby.
A fire burns in the Address Downtown skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The blaze began Thursday night before
Dubai's annual New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the
world's tallest building which sits nearby.
A fire burns in the Address Downtown skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, with the Burj Khalifa on the left. The
blaze began Thursday night before Dubai's annual New Year's Eve
fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building which
sits nearby.
Smoke billows from the Address Downtown skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The blaze began Thursday night before
Dubai's annual New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the
world's tallest building which sits nearby.
Smoke billows from the Address Downtown skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The blaze began Thursday night before
Dubai's annual New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the
world's tallest building which sits nearby.
Fireworks illuminate the Burj Khalifa as a tower burns behind it in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.