Dubai fire: Emaar denies claims no alarms sounded
Developer says it ‘adheres to all safety standards regarding fire systems’
Property giant Emaar has disputed claims by hotel guests that no alarms sounded after a fire broke out at The Address Downtown in Dubai.
Several witnesses of the New Year’s Eve blaze said they did not hear alarms as the evacuated the building, according to a report in The National newspaper.
A Tanzanian named Sameer Khan said that hotel staff banged on his door and told him to flee. “We ran out in our slippers. There was no time to take anything from the safe, even our passports,” he told The National. “People were crying, we heard them but we didn’t hear any alarm.”
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An Emaar spokesperson disputed such claims, saying that the hotel alarms did go off, according to The National.
“Emaar adheres to all safety standards regarding fire systems, as per the regulations,” a spokesperson was reported as saying.
“Our systems, across all properties, are regularly tested by third-party entities and cleared. We also undertake periodic drills, above the call of mandatory requirements, to ensure the safety of our guests and residents.”
A major blaze swept through the 63-storey hotel and residences building late on December 31, causing considerable damage but no loss of life, according to authorities.
Officials say a total of fourteen people suffered minor injuries, with one moderate injury, while another person had a heart attack because of the fire.
Developer Emaar Properties has appointed contractor DUTCO Group to undertake the clearing, assessment and restoration work of the building.
READ MORE: Dubai fire investigation ‘nears completion’
READ MORE: Dubai’s Emaar appoints DUTCO to restore fire-damaged Address hotel
READ MORE: Emaar intends to restore fire-struck Dubai hotel ‘to all its glory’
READ MORE: Emaar sees ‘no material impact’ on company, hotel insured
READ MORE: Major fire at Address hotel in Dubai on New Year’s Eve
VIDEO: Fire at The Address Hotel Dubai, New Year’s Eve
READ MORE: Fire at Address hotel in Dubai put out
IN PICTURES: Response to New Year’s Eve fire at Address Dubai
