Note: This is a breaking news story that will be updated as new information is available.
The Torch in Dubai, one of the tallest residential buildings in the world, caught fire early Saturday morning local time. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the residential tower, which stands at more than 1,000 feet tall, but no casualties have been reported, although several people are receiving treatment for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but high winds reportedly helped spread the flames. Reuters reports that the fire was extinguished “several hours” after the initial alarm sounded around 2 a.m.
The 1.5 million-square-feet Torch tower, designed by local firm Khatib & Alami, opened in 2011 and was developed by Dubai-based Select Group. According to the developer’s website, the tower contains 676 residential units and six retail units.
The Associated Press describes the scene at the tower Saturday morning:
“As daylight broke, residents waiting across the street to be allowed back home were able to see the extent of the blaze: External cladding on the corner of more than two dozen stories from roughly the 50th floor to the top were mangled and charred black.”
The Marina district is a dense area home to dozens of skyscrapers. In 2012, the nearby 34-story Tamweel Tower caught on fire, which police said was caused by a cigarette butt. There were no injuries, but hundreds of residents were left homeless.
