A fire that broke out in a building in Karama, Dubai, early Wednesday morning claimed the life of an Indian expatriate. The man, in his 40s and originally from Kerala, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
According to a Khaleej Times report, the Dubai Civil Defence reported the incident at 12.17am and stated that the blaze was under control by 12.40am.
Emergency teams evacuated residents and sealed the area promptly, with their response time under three minutes. Along with the deceased, three other residents were hospitalized with moderate injuries.
The origin of the fire is yet to be determined, but eyewitnesses believe it began in an apartment on the building’s third floor. Many affected residents, primarily from Kerala, have been left without their belongings as the building remains cordoned off. Some, in Dubai on visit visas, are faced with additional challenges.
Social workers, including Nazeer Vadanappilly, are stepping in to provide assistance. Nazeer mentioned that many tenants, in the city on visit visas seeking employment, had all their essential belongings and documents inside the building. Their efforts now focus on addressing immediate needs.
Residents praised the swift action of emergency responders. An onlooker recalled hearing an explosion and then quickly fleeing as the fire spread, noting, “The police and firemen were here within minutes.”