Five members of an Arab expat family died on Thursday morning in Al Ain after fire gutted their house.
The Egyptian family, living in Abu Samrah area, died due to burns and suffocation.

Senior officials from Abu Dhabi Police revealed to Emirates 24|7 that 10-year-old MA, five-year old SA, three-year old AA, two-year old AA, and their 28-years old mother died in the fire. The Egyptian father of the family escaped death, but was devastated by the loss of his children and wife in the fire, the cause of which is being investigated by the Civil Defence.

Colonel Mohammad Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Director General of Civil Defence, said the family was sleeping when fire broke out in the two-bedroom house located in the western corner of the residential district.

According to preliminary reports, the fire erupted from the kitchen and spread to the rest of the house.

The Egyptian father managed to jump out of the window and survived. Even though the distressed father informed police about the four family members trapped inside the burning house, the civil defence team could rescue them in critical condition and rushed to the hospital where they could not survive.

Reports quoting neighbours said a computer caught fire due to electrical fault in the traditional house. The wife was sleeping with children in a room screamed for help from her husband, who could not reach the spot or rescue them due to thick smoke and intense fire. He is also undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Nuaimi said the victims were rescued and given immediate first aid and moved to Tawam Hospital in Al Ain. However, they could not be revived and succumbed to injuries.

The civil defence is investigating the exact cause of fire. Colonel Al Nuaimi advised residents to follow all necessary home safety measures and procedures at home and workplaces to minimise the loss of human lives and property. The civil defence has been urging the residents, through a nationwide campaign, to be prepared on what measures they have to take in case of an emergency.

In December, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence kicked off what is claimed to be the biggest fire safety campaign by visiting each home. More than 217 officers and warrant officers were to visit homes to examine fire risks, and find the best ways to curb them.

Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Acting Commander-in-Chief of the UAE Civil Defence was quoted as saying that a fire erupts every third day in the UAE compared to one every day in Munich, Germany.

About 66 field teams headed were assigned to carry out this mission throughout the country. According to official figures, domestic fires accounted for 12 per cent of total fires which erupted across the country last year. The percentage was as high 36 in Ras Al Khaimah, 33 in Al Ain, 28 in Umm Al Quwain, 25 in Fujairah, 23 in the Western Region, 22 in Sharjah, 19 in Ajman, 18 in Abu Dhabi and nine in Dubai.The number one cause of domestic fires was faulty exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and circuit breakers and careless handling of gas cylinders.

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