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Khaleej Times
25-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Tenants of fire-hit Marina tower face long queues, uncertainty over flat access
Twelve days after the fire at Tiger Tower in the Marina high-rise, dozens of residents are still facing difficulties retrieving their belongings. Nearly every day since the incident on June 13, people have lined up outside the building, hoping to be allowed inside. However, the process has been slow and frustrating. Even now, on the 12th day, the situation remains challenging. Long queues, people cutting in line, and the intense heat are among the main issues causing distress. 'Waiting for hours' SP, a 30-year-old HR manager, shared that she and her husband have been coming almost daily. On Wednesday, they arrived at 7am, and were still waiting to be let in hours later. 'Initially, authorities used a different system, where residents had to register and wait for their flat number to be called.' However, many complained that the numbers were being called at random, with no clear order or reasoning. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'Now, it appears the system has shifted to a first-come, first-served basis — though even that approach has brought its own problems,' added SP. SP expressed frustration over the lack of organisation in managing the queues, calling the experience exhausting and chaotic. 'We've been here since 7am, but those who cut the lines are already inside. The security didn't really care for the queue.' Meanwhile, ML, a 50-year-old Egyptian expat, has also been queuing regularly — but not for her own belongings. As the owner of three apartments in the building, she's been coming back day after day to collect her tenants' things. 'They're already overwhelmed and without a home,' she said. 'The least I can do is help them get their stuff.' 'Want to check if my things are okay' For some residents, the frustration isn't just about waiting in line, it's also about not knowing when, or if, they will even get a chance to go inside. 'I have been coming here every single day just to get a glimpse of my flat,' said Ramesh, an Indian expat who lives on the 26th floor. 'I know the fire didn't reach my apartment, but I want to see it with my own eyes. I just want to check if my things are okay, even from outside the door.' He explained that earlier, there was a token system where residents had to wait for their flat numbers to be called. 'That was confusing. Today, they told us it's now on a first-come, first-served basis. So we came early, but still, there's no guarantee we'll get in.' 'Unfair system' Another resident, Amira, a Lebanese, said she hasn't been allowed inside even once, not even for a minute. 'I know people who have paid visit to their flats for more than 10 times,' she said. 'I haven't had the chance even once.' She feels the system has been unfair. 'Some are going every day because they know the watchman or have connections. What about the rest of us? We are all waiting in the same heat. We all lost access to our homes. We deserve the same chance.' Then there are those who just want a bit of clarity and peace of mind. Vara, a Georgian expat, was inside her apartment when the fire broke out. She managed to evacuate safely, leaving behind her belongings — including essential work items. Just days later, she had to travel to her home country for a scheduled work trip, where she was responsible for guiding a group of UAE tourists. 'I was in the building during the fire and had to leave a few days later for the tour,' she said. ' Everything I needed for my trip — my laptop, files, souvenirs, was left behind. I had to borrow a laptop and reprint documents just to make it happen. It wasn't easy, but I didn't want to let anyone down.' After completing the trip successfully, Vara returned to Dubai and began trying to access her apartment. 'But I still haven't been able to go in. I need to get back to work properly, and all my personal and office items are still inside. I just want to collect what I can and start putting things back together.' Security clarifies Ali, a 29-year-old security supervisor from Pakistan who has been working in the building for two years, explained the reason behind the checks. "The process is not slow," he said. "We are just making sure that everyone in the queue is actually going into their own apartments." According to him, the security team verifies residents' documents to ensure that unauthorised individuals aren't gaining access. "This is also done to avoid theft," he added. Ali mentioned that the number of people passing through the queue is significant. "On average, around 400 people queue every day," he said, noting that the queue closes daily at 4pm. Since the fire, Ali has taken on even more responsibility. "I've been working overtime and I'm on call 24/7, just in case something happens and I need to deal with it," he said. "As a supervisor, it's my job to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely."
Khaleej Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Marina fire: Dozens of pets rescued from burning tower as firefighters, vets help
As flames engulfed the upper floors of a 67-storey tower in Dubai Marina on Friday night (June 13), panic gripped thousands of residents who were forced to leave their homes to escape the blazing flames. Some tenants couldn't carry along their loved pets. Amid the chaos and firefighting operations, an equally urgent rescue unfolded of dozens of frightened cats, birds, and other pets that were left behind in a rush. Some residents of Tiger Tower, also known as The Marina Pinnacle, managed to carry their pets down the stairs as they evacuated. Others, heartbroken and helpless, had no choice but to leave them behind. In the hours that followed, firefighters returned to the building not just to contain the blaze but also to search for and rescue any pets left behind, ensuring that no one, human or animal, was forgotten. Once the animals were brought to safety, many evacuees, now left without shelter themselves, were desperate to find a safe place for their beloved pets. That's when the community stepped in. Veterinarians, animal rescuers, pet owners, and complete strangers came forward, offering food, supplies, foster care, and free boarding to make sure the animals were cared for while their owners dealt with the aftermath. Cami Ohara, the owner of Mike's Vet Clinic, was vacationing in Spain when the fire broke out. Despite being thousands of kilometres away, she immediately stepped in. "I got frantic calls from people who had adopted cats from me, asking if they could board their animals because they didn't know where else to go,' she told Khaleej Times. 'I called my team and told them: anyone who needs help, all boarding is free. Then I called my social media manager and asked them to post it for everyone to see.' Her clinic ultimately took in seven animals, six cats and a bird, and opened its doors after hours to give pet owners a safe place to bring their companions. What followed was a flood of community support. 'There's a WhatsApp group with more than 350 individuals, including clients of the clinic and people I've never met,' Cami said. 'Volunteers came forward to help with transportation, offer foster homes, or simply check in. It's been overwhelming, in the best way." Treatment on the spot Another group that mobilised quickly was Vets For Pets Veterinary Clinic, which teamed up with House Call Vet, led by Dr Sudhakar. Due to the short response window, Dr Sudhakar rushed to the scene and stayed until 3am, treating animals on-site. 'Thanks to this efficient coordination, none of the animals needed hospitalisation,' the clinic said in a statement. 'Only a few were boarded overnight; the rest returned to their owners or rescuers.' Vets For Pets also offered completely free veterinary check-ups and boarding services for animals affected by the fire. 'For many, pets are family. In moments like this, the effort must go beyond economic value,' they added. A moment of heartbreak Not every pet made it out. Some residents shared painful stories of animals lost in the chaos of the evacuation. Among them was Ramy Mouni, who told Khaleej Times he had lost his beloved cat. Struggling to put his grief into words, all he could say was, 'I'm so sad.' Save lives next time While some rushed to help during the crisis, others were already working on how to prevent such losses in the future. Yvonne from Doggie Adventures, an online community for dog lovers in the UAE, shared one simple yet powerful idea: emergency door stickers that notify first responders that pets are inside a home. 'We give them out for free,' Yvonne said. 'They're available at Pretty Paws in Al Barsha. We also distribute wallet cards with a red tag that sticks out, saying: 'My pet is home alone.' In case of an emergency, this helps responders contact someone to care for the animal.' The goal, she said, is to raise awareness within the community and ensure no pet is ever left behind again.
Khaleej Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Marina fire: Residents open homes, share meals with displaced tenants
As the charred upper floors of Dubai Marina's Tiger Tower, also known as The Marina Pinnacle, stood sealed off for a third day after Friday evening's fire, the residents once again showed why Dubai is more than just a city of skyscrapers. From strangers opening up their homes to volunteers organising shelter, meals, pet care, and even salon services, the outpouring of support has revived memories of the April 2024 floods, when Dubai residents mobilised to help those stranded and displaced. One of the most active hubs of support has been a WhatsApp group titled 'Support Group to Help', launched by Dr Deepti Arora. When the group exceeded its member limit, a second one with the same name was created to accommodate the overflow. Both groups now serve as central coordination points for clothing, food, essential supplies, and emergency assistance for those displaced by the fire. On Sunday, one member posted an update: "We've arranged 35 non-veg and 15 veg meals for one of the buildings today". Others continue to volunteer for transport, bedding, toiletries, and more. A pinned message in the group reads: "The past two days have seen immense generosity with donations pouring in from all over. The locations are now full, so please stop all donations — perishable and non-perishable. All locations remain open for those in need of clothes, food, and water." Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The group was founded by Dr Deepti, an HR manager at a luxury retail company, after an employee she had hired from Brazil called her in distress. The young man was living in the tower affected by the fire. Deepti, who lives in Jumeirah Beach Residence, said she first saw chatter about the blaze on a ladies' WhatsApp group. "I tried to take the tram to check on him, but it wasn't working. So, I followed the smoke and walked to the building," she recalled. "What I saw was gut-wrenching." That moment, she said, made her decide to act. "Within hours, our group crossed a thousand members, and I had to start a second one," she said. "We made it clear from the start — no cash donations. People needed essentials: food, clothes, even toiletries and undergarments." Another citizen-led effort emerged when Sevgi Anar, a Sydney-born health and fitness professional living on the 72nd floor of a building opposite Tiger Tower, began receiving messages from displaced residents. She had first spotted the fire around 9:30pm on Friday. "People in our building were shouting across to the tower, trying to alert residents," she recalled. "It was hard to tell who had seen the smoke and who hadn't. Everyone just acted instinctively." The following morning, while walking her dog, Sevgi came across two young men asleep near a tram station. "Their feet were black with soot," she said. The men told her they had escaped from the building. She and a friend immediately booked them into Rove Dubai Marina Hotel. After that, more people began reaching out. "Ten boys, mostly Asian, were roughing it out near Princess Tower. We found them an apartment. Later that night, we put four more into Rove just for the night," she said. To better coordinate the growing requests, Sevgi started a dedicated WhatsApp group called Accommodation for Tiger Tower Residents, which now has around 150 members. "It started when people began messaging me for help," she said. "Now we're just trying to connect those in need with people who can offer a place. I'm focusing only on accommodation; that's the most urgent gap right now." One of the young men she assisted wrote in the group the next day: " My roommates and I were able to sleep peacefully last night. Thank you, everyone." While residents with tenancy or ownership contracts have been given temporary housing by the building's management in three towers —including Nobles Tower in Business Bay, those in shared accommodation continue to face difficulties. "I was told to go to Nobles Tower, but by the time I reached, it was full," said one Indian resident who lived on the 20th floor. He is currently staying at Staybridge Suites in Dubai Internet City. "Thankfully, my company is helping me with accommodation. My wife had gone to India two days ago, but she'll be back this week." Ross, an Azerbaijani expat living on the 60th floor of Marina Pinnacle, said he was among the first to detect the fire. "It started small. I thought it was coming from the 62nd floor and went up to check, but then I realised it was the floor right above mine. We tried using extinguishers and then the fire hoses, but it was too intense. Once Civil Defence arrived, we ran down the stairs," he said. Ross suffered a minor injury from a balcony door that shattered from the heat and was treated by paramedics at the scene. "The firefighters arrived quickly and handled it very efficiently. I am really thankful for how fast they took control." Amid the scramble for shelter, new requests continued to come in the support group. "Dear friends, we are a family with three kids and a small dog and urgently need a place to stay," one message read. Within minutes came a response: "I have a vacant villa in Dubai Hills. It's unfurnished, but power and water are available. You can stay for a week." Support continued to pour in from all corners. Clever Dogs Pets Care in Jebel Ali is offering free boarding for displaced pets. Sisters Beauty Lounge in JBR is offering complimentary wash and blow-dry services to 20 women from the tower, provided they present a tenancy or ownership contract. "It's just our way to pitch in," said Mary, the lounge's marketing manager. "These women have been through a lot. We wanted to offer a bit of relief." Dubai Media Office earlier confirmed that all 3,820 residents from the 764 apartments in the 67-storey building were safely evacuated and that no injuries were reported. The blaze, which broke out around 9.30pm, was brought under control within six hours. Emergency crews remained at the site on Sunday. The cause is under investigation, and it remains unclear when residents will be allowed to return. In the aftermath, however, it was the community response that stood out. "Dubai isn't only home," said a volunteer packing essentials. "It's where we look out for each other."
Times of Oman
14-06-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
67-story Tiger Tower in Dubai catches fire, over 3,500 residents evacuated
Dubai: A massive blaze swept through Dubai's 67-story Tiger Tower, hurling thick, and black smoke across the sky on Friday night. Over 3,500 residents evacuated. Brave firefighters fought fiercely, extinguishing the blaze by today morning with no loss of life reported in the incident. The building was built in 2011 and is primarily residential, housing expatriates and professionals in the Dubai Marina area.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Terrifying moment massive fire rips through 67-storey Dubai Marina skyscraper as 4,000 people flee from high rise
THIS is the chilling moment a huge fire engulfs a 62-storey residential skyscraper in Dubai Marina - home to 3,820 people. Emergency teams spent six hours battling the overnight blaze until Saturday morning, according to the Dubai Media Office. 5 5 All 3,820 residents from 764 apartments were safely evacuated, the Dubai Media Office said in its live updates on X. In a post published this morning, the media office said that the fire was contained and that "the smoke currently visible at the site is due to ongoing cooling operations as part of the firefighting process". "Control measures remain in place and the situation is fully managed by the firefighting teams," it added. The blaze broke out in the upper floors of the Tiger Tower – also known as Marina Pinnacle – at around 9.30pm, according to UAE-based outlet The National. After fleeing the burning tower, residents gathered in the streets as emergency teams tried to put out the fire, the outlet reported. Residents are reportedly receiving assistance from authorities and the building's developer to secure temporary housing. As a result of the fire, there are travel disruptions between Dubai Marina Station and Palm Jumeirah Station. Dubai's transport authority wrote on social media: "This is to ensure passenger safety and to facilitate the work of firefighting teams responding to the incident." The cause of the fire is not yet known. Fire crews rush to Leith banana flats as huge blaze engulfs Trainspotting tower block It comes as a huge fire broke out in March after a cargo ship collided with a US oil tanker in the North Sea. 36 crew members from both ships were taken safely to shore, but one sailor was reported missing. After extensive search efforts for the individual, the sailor was presumed dead. The container ship Solong was carrying the highly toxic toxic chemical sodium cyanide. Footage captured the dramatic scene as both the oil tanker and the cargo ship were engulfed in flames, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Fuel began leaking into the water as the Stena sustained a ruptured cargo tank, raising fears of a nightmare environmental disaster. 5
