Major blaze breaks out at Dubai Creek, several vessels on fire

www.mangaloretoday.com

Dubai, July 13, 2015: A number of vessels at UAE’s Dubai Creek were on fire on Monday, sending huge clouds of black smoke into the air. Fire crews are working at the scene, and social media users have posted numerous images and videos of the fire.

A massive fire broke out near Dubai’s Al Maktoum Bridge on Monday afternoon.

The fire spread from one of the vessels at the dock, with thick smoke then engulfing nearby areas, including the Dubai Courts, the floating bridge and the Al Karama residential district, the Khaleej Times reported.

 

 

As many as 10 civil defence and four rescue vehicles were on the scene queuing along the Creek to put out the blaze and more Civil Denfence vehicles were seen arriving to fight the blaze.

A Civil Defence official said they received call at 3.04pm and five teams were immediately dispatched to combat the blaze which is still burning.

The black smoke billowing from the burning dhows can be seen as far as from Sheikh Zayed Road.

Residents said ashes from the burning dhows reached Oud Metha balconies.

Motorists have been advised to avoid Al Maktoum Bridge crossing due to heavy traffic.

Eyewitnesses told this website that two boats with a lot of supplies – mainly food items such as rice, chasews etc – caught fire and cargo can be seen floating in the sea.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire began in an Iranian carrier that suffered a possible short-ciruit in the air-conditioning unit on the dhow and then the fire spread as there was dry wood on the docks. There was also oil onboard the dhows.