Dubai’s record-breaking 79-storey building bursts into flames
A 79-storey skyscraper in Dubai has been engulfed in flames, with horrifying footage showing the inferno quickly spreading upwards – sending burning debris to the streets below – as firefighters attempt to subdue the blaze.
The 330m Torch Tower is a residential building popular with expats in the United Arab Emirates tourism hotspot.
The same skyscraper, which is the fifth tallest residential building in the world, was similarly engulfed in flames in 2015, but quickly brought under control. The buildings flammable cladding being blamed for the fire.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed the Civil Defence was tackling the fire.
“Firefighting squads from four Civil Defence stations have been deployed to bring the fire under control and ensure safety of residents,” a spokesman said.
Civil defence officials have "successfully evacuated" the building and are now working to bring the fire under control, the authorities say.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.