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         Smoke Still Pouring From Dubai Luxury Hotel but Fire Contained

   by VOA News

   Heavy, white smoke poured from a luxury hotel in downtown Dubai Friday,
   hours after it was engulfed in massive flames, providing dramatic
   scenes as New Year's Eve revelers looked on.

   The blaze appeared to be extinguished, but several fire trucks remained
   on the scene and dozens of people gathered nearby to take pictures of
   the 63-floor building, which suffered major damage to its facade.

   Fourteen people suffered minor injuries, and one person experienced a
   heart attack during the evacuation, according to the Twitter account of
   the government of Dubai's media office.

   Officials said the fire erupted on the 20th floor of The Address hotel,
   perhaps outside on a terrace, causing the flames to quickly climb up
   the length of the structure.

   ''When the fire broke out at the downtown-area hotel, tens of thousands
   of people were gathered nearby to watch the annual New Year's Eve
   fireworks show.

   VOA's Margaret Besheer was nearby when the fire started.

   "Sitting in a nearby restaurant a few hundred meters from the hotel, we
   looked up when the fountains on the esplanade erupted as they do on the
   half-hour," Besheer said.

   'Hotel burst into flames'

   "As we applauded the water show, The Address hotel burst into flames.
   Within minutes, fire shot up the north side of the hotel building,
   shocking the crowds in the restaurants. Within minutes, fiery debris
   showered down off the building," she said.

   The hotel stands across from the world's tallest skyscraper, the
   800-meter-tall Burj Khalifa, which was to be the initial focal point of
   a spectacular 25-minute fireworks display, which could be seen across
   Dubai, to usher in 2016.

   ''

   The fireworks show took place with the burning hotel in the background.

   The hotel, a favorite for international celebrities and wealthy
   travelers, was reportedly fully booked with people who had come to see
   the fireworks. Authorities said that they were able to evacuate
   everyone safely.

   United Arab Emirates authorities said earlier Thursday that thousands
   of security personnel were on duty as a safeguard during the
   festivities.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/smoke-still-pouring-from-dubai-luxury
   -hotel-but-fire-contained/3127171.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/smoke-still-pouring-from-dubai-luxury-hotel-but-fire-contained/3127171.html