Pics by Uttam Menezes- Sharjah

Sharjah, Jul 7: A massive fire that broke out in the 12-storey Al Kuwaiti Tower residential building in the Al Buteena area on Al Orooba street here on Tuesday evening left some of the upper floors completely gutted.

There were no reports of casualties except for some residents who had to be attended to immediately for breathing problems.

Sharjah Police was notified about the incident at around 6.05pm as the fire first started on the first and second floors which were completely gutted before spreading to the floors above.

Colonel Wahid Al Serkal, Director of Sharjah Civil Defense said the main cause of the fire is yet unknown but said it could have resulted from a gas cylinder explosion.

“The top floors of the building were completely gutted while the mezzanine and the ground floors remained intact. The debris was seen all over as sparks were thrown into the air from the burning building.”

“Six people residing at the building  who suffered from inhalation problems were admitted to the hospital. 
The outer facade of the building is made of fibreglass which led to the spread of the fire in seconds,” Colonel 
Al Serkal added.

Colonel Mohamed Eid Al Mazloum, Director of the Sharjah Police Operation Department said, “We cordoned off the area and we worked hard to ensure that the fire did not spread to the neighbouring areas full of other residential buildings.”

“Fire brigades from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain contributed in controlling the blaze and the traffic below was shown 
alternate routes. Hydraulic machines and water pumps were used to control the blaze.” 

“We have a mobile car to help us control all the operations on the roads. Helicoperts were also used to supply additional water to control the flames.”

“Twenty-five fire engines and equipment were used to control the fire that continued till the late hours and explosions were heard throughout.”

“The residents of the building were evacuated from the building using the building ladder and we transferred two old men and a woman to Al Kuwaiti hospital after they fell unconscious and suffered from breathing problems,” Colonel Mazloum added.