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19 March 2024

Al Khan tower fire: Passports, cars, gold... all gone for some

Even cars parked below were burnt by falling debris. (VM Sathish)

Published
By VM Sathish with Wam

Latest: Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, and President of the Emirates Red Crescent, has given orders to provide aid and suitable housing for 150 families affected by the fire which erupted in a residential tower located on King Faisal Road in Sharjah.
 
The affected families will live temporarily in houses provided by the Emirates Red Crescent until restoration of their damaged apartments is complete.

As part of its response to Sheikh Hamdan's orders, the Red Crescent is working to meet the basic needs of the affected residents of the tower.

Aftermath: Charred lives

Hundreds of residents who escaped the major fire that broke out in a high-rise tower in the Al Khan area of Sharjah on Thursday afternoon are now stuck in temporary shelters as access to building is blocked.

More than 40 apartments of the Naser Residential Tower Complex are believed to have been gutted in the fire.

Residents believe they have lost everything - including valuable documents like passports and educational certificates, gold and other precious items.

“About 200 flats in the complex, which has 240 units and common facilities like a gymnasium, helipad and swimming pool, have been affected by the fire.

“Ten vehicles owned by residents are also fully burnt due to falling debris from the burning building,” said an Indian resident, who is now living with his relatives in Sharjah.
Indians, Filipinos and Arab expatriates lived in the building complex.

A UAE Red Crescent tent and a masjid in the neighbourhood offered shelter to women and children.
 
The Civil Defence helicopter used to fight the fire and the fire fighters prevented the fire from spreading.

“I live in the neighbourhood and was going to work when I saw smoke and fire in the adjacent high-rise building.

“I found people rushing out in a hurry. There were no casualties and like other onlookers I too took some pictures,” said Mhae Garcia, a resident in the Al Majas area.

For pictures and video of the fire as it happened... Click here