Fire Sweeps Through Dubai Skyscraper

A fire has swept through the Torch skyscraper in Dubai, one of the tallest residential buildings in the world.

Strong winds helped the blaze to spread across the 336.1m (1,105ft) high building in the marina district.


One eyewitness told the BBC "there was debris flying everywhere, falling into neighbouring buildings". The fire was later extinguished.

It is not known what caused the blaze. Hundreds of people were evacuated and there are no reports of any casualties.

'Very scared'
 
Footage posted on social media showed what looked like molten glass and pieces of masonry falling to the ground.

"In an hour-and-a-half the fire is almost out on about 60 floors, it looks like mostly the outer apartments that are damaged," eyewitness Rola told the BBC.

She said it looked like the blaze had started on the 50th floor.

 "It's an iconic building, people were out on balconies all around it watching - even though it was 3am [23:00 GMT Saturday]," she said

 The Torch Skyscraper, Dubai

• The 79-storey skyscraper opened in 2011

• Was the world's tallest residential building at its opening, but has since been surpassed by six others

• Is thought to be the 32nd tallest building in the world, according to the Skyscraper Centre

• It has 676 apartments. A two-bedroom flat starts at more than $500,000 (£325,000)

• Residents have access to an eight-storey garage and a swimming pool overlooking Dubai's waterfront

"The civil defence came really quickly and they have said there were no casualties, everybody was told to evacuate in a timely manner and we think everybody is OK."