A huge fire engulfed a 63-storey luxury hotel near the world’s tallest skyscraper. Despite the inferno, a massive New Year’s Eve firework show has gone ahead.
The Dubai government media office tweeted that fire had broken out, and authorities were on-site to deal with the blaze.
Witnesses in the vicinity of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, said flames could be seen billowing from the top storey of the hotel.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire which started at around 9:30 p.m. (1730 UTC).
The Dubai government press office said 14 minor injuries occurred during the evacuation of the building.
Despite the inferno, an elaborate New Year’s fireworks display went ahead at the Burj Khalifa, even as the nearby blaze was 90 percent under control.
Dubai plans to wow spectators on New Year’s Eve with three separate firework displays. More than 1.6 tons of fireworks are to be used during the celebration.
