Residents of a residential building near Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates are scrambling to find temporary housing after a fire broke out on Sunday night, displacing families just two days before New Year’s Eve. Some tenants are staying with friends and family, while others have turned to hotels, grappling with uncertainty and rising accommodation costs.
Chaotic Escape from the Fire
The fire, which engulfed the building in Al Barsha, caused panic among residents. Aisha, an Egyptian expat who moved to Dubai two months ago, recalled the moment she and her roommate realized something was wrong:
"I smelled something burning and asked my roommate if she burned something. Then we heard screaming. The stairs were packed with people escaping," she said.
Her Algerian roommate, Mariam, added, "We left everything behind. Now we’re waiting for updates on what to do next since we have no one to stay with."
Acts of Kindness Amid Chaos
Despite the distress, Christian Acosta, a Filipino chef living on the fourth floor, decided to help his neighbors. The morning after the fire, he cooked bowls of noodles for the displaced residents.
"We are in this together. I saw children who were tired and hungry, so I wanted to help," he said.
Christian, who lost access to his belongings, is temporarily staying with a friend as he awaits updates.
Concerns About Housing and Costs
Many tenants, like Rahi, an Indian expat, expressed frustration about the lack of immediate guidance from the building management.
"With New Year’s approaching, prices are high, and it’s hard to find alternatives quickly. I hope we’re not left stranded," he said.
Scene of the Incident
Videos on social media showed the building’s facade covered in black soot, with flames visible during the fire. When Khaleej Times visited the site, the area was cordoned off by authorities to ensure public safety and facilitate clean-up efforts. Shops on the ground floor were closed, and only one lane of the two-lane road remained open for vehicles.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, while clean-up efforts continue. Residents remain hopeful for swift updates to resolve their housing situation as they prepare to welcome the New Year under challenging circumstances.
