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TOWERING INFERNO

Panic as blaze rips through luxury 75-storey apartment block in Dubai Marina

Locals evacuated from the 700 flats with Dubai firefighters putting out Sulafa Tower fire in less than three hours

A HUGE blaze has been contained after a luxury 75-storey apartment caught on fire in Dubai.

Firefighters bravely stormed into the Sulafa Tower in the Dubai Marina, in the United Arab Emirates, despite the fire growing stronger due to strong winds and falling debris.

Flames are seen after a fire broke out at residential Sulafa tower in the upscale Marina district in Dubai
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Flames are seen after a fire broke out at residential Sulafa tower in the upscale Marina district in DubaiCredit: Reuters
Flames licked the side of the skyscraper, working their way up and down the 75-storey structure
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Flames licked the side of the skyscraper, working their way up and down the 75-storey structureCredit: Reuters
The blaze took three hours for fire fighters to put out
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The blaze took three hours for fire fighters to put outCredit: AP:Associated Press
Dubai

and the 127th tallest in the world.

Local media has since reported that the fire started on the 35th floor, citing an official at Dubai Civil Defence.

The fire, which raged for around three hours, was finally been put out.

Footage of the blaze shows the flames working their way up and down the tower, which is made up of more than 700 flats, with the fire appearing to have started at the centre of the tower.

Debris can be seen falling from the burning building, which caught fire just before 3pm Dubai time.

One witness who shared a video of the fire taking hold of the building can be heard saying: "It's getting worse and worse up there".

The fire is understood to have spread after bits of burning debris fell from the top levels, starting fires on several balconies on Sulafa Tower's lower floors, reported.

Local media has further reported that the top and original point of the blaze is now under control but another fire has broken out and is climbing from the middle part of the building.

According to the Dubai Media Office, no casualties have been reported.

 reported that a Civil Defence spokesperson said: "Firefighters are currently working to put the blaze out at the Sulafa Tower in Dubai Marina.

"We were alerted at 2.48pm. Currently firefighting teams from Al Marsa, Al Barsha, Al Rashidiya and Al Karama are working to put the fire out."

Another beach resort, The Westin Dubai, has opened up their ballroom for temporary shelter and refreshments.

Local media reports revealed the Sulafa Tower is just metres from The Torch, another skyscraper which was damaged in a huge blaze last year.

The Sulafa Tower itself has also been forced to evacuate in 2012 after a flat on the 36th floor caught fire.

The cause of the current fire is not yet clear.

Fire crews worked for hours to put out the blaze, with brave fire fighters even entering the burning building
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Fire crews worked for hours to put out the blaze, with brave fire fighters even entering the burning buildingCredit: Array
No one was injured in the fire
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No one was injured in the fire despite the blaze moving quickly between the storeysCredit: Dubai Media Office
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