UAE: Family narrowly escapes villa fire; residents urged to get AC checked

Khaleej Times

17-07-2025

A villa fire in Dubailand has prompted renewed warnings from fire safety experts and residents, urging people across the UAE to routinely inspect their air conditioning units and ensure smoke alarms are in working order.
The blaze broke out in the maid's room of a British family's villa in Bella Casa, Serena, and has apparently been traced back to an internal electrical fault in an AC unit.
'There was no functioning fire alarm in the room…the fire alarm didn't go off. It's done a lot of damage. The house is not liveable anymore. We are now moving to another neighbourhood,' said Sally Maddison, a tenant of the villa.
The British expat family of five — including young children — say the outcome could have been devastating had the fire occurred at night.
'If this had happened while we were asleep, we might not be here to tell the story. The most terrifying part is that the smoke detector — which should have been the first line of defence — wasn't working,' she added.
According to Maddison, their cat, Molly, suffered severe smoke inhalation and had to be placed on oxygen to survive, resulting in veterinary bills exceeding Dh5,000. Meanwhile, their live-in helper, Nell, lost all her personal belongings in the fire, though her passport and birth certificate were somehow salvaged.
She highlighted in a show of solidarity, neighbours came together to raise over Dh3,000 to help her (maid) begin rebuilding.
'This wasn't just one oversight — it was part of a larger pattern of neglect,' Maddison said. 'And when we started searching for a new home, we were shocked to find many other villas in Dubai also had no visible fire alarms installed. Proper AC maintenance is another essential that's often overlooked. It's frightening to go through something like this.'
Routine AC, fire alarm checks critical
Meanwhile, experts raised awareness about regular maintenance of air conditioning units and fire safety compliance.
'The air conditioning units should be inspected and serviced at a minimum every six months; typically, once heading into the summer months and once after the summer,' said Sam Malins, CEO of Reacton Fire Suppression.
He explained that the most common types of fires in residential settings stem from electrical faults or malfunctions within AC units, particularly in circuit boards or fans. 'International studies have suggested 86 per cent of AC fires are caused by such issues,' he said. 'In addition, faulty electrics can lead to overheating of components and should they ignite, certain materials used to house the units can be highly combustible, leading to a rapid spread.'
Malins stressed that residents must also 'make sure smoke detectors and alarm systems work, in line with the UAE standards". He recommends routine maintenance of AC units, including thorough cleaning to avoid dust or debris accumulation.
'In certain residences, automatic fire suppression systems may be appropriate for added reassurance,' he said.
To further reduce risk, Malins suggests installing a timer on AC units. 'The government recommends a temperature of 24 degrees Celsius for personal health. It also works the best with the air conditioning unit, by putting less pressure on the unit ensuring less wear and tear, and it should be set on automatic rather than permanently on."
'There's less chance of AC units breaking down if they are used and reduced chance of mould accumulation. However, you don't want them running permanently if the property is not occupied.'