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Fire erupts in Dubai highrise days after another tower inferno

'Minor fire' in 78-storey residential building follows soon after inferno tore through even higher tower, The Torch
Some of the tallest towers in Dubai (AFP)

A fire erupted in a residential highrise in Dubai Sunday, authorities said, days after a blaze tore through a tower across the street.

Dubai Civil Defence said Sunday it had put out the "minor fire" that broke out on a balcony in the 78-storey Tiger Tower, which opened to residents in 2010. No injuries were reported.

The building is across the street from The Torch, an 87-storey residential tower that was engulfed by a fire early on Friday, with no reports of injuries.

The Torch was also the scene of a 2015 fire that triggered a mass evacuation of surrounding buildings.

In January, Dubai announced tougher rules to minimise fire risks after a series of tower blazes in the emirate whose spread through the towers was considered to be mostly due to flammable material used in cladding, a covering or coating used on the side of the buildings.

In the early hours of 1 January 2015, 16 people were injured when a fire broke out in one of Dubai's luxury hotels.

In November 2015, fire engulfed three residential blocks in central Dubai and led to services on a metro line being suspended, although no one was hurt.

In just over a decade, Dubai has built dozens of futuristic skyscrapers, which have transformed its skyline.

The city is home to the world's tallest building, Burj al-Khalifa, which stands 828 metres tall, as well as iconic palm tree-shaped, man-made luxury residential islands.

 

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