Fire rips through Torch skyscraper in Dubai

A huge fire has broken out in one of the world’s tallest residential buildings in the United Arab Emirates, the emergency management organization says.

According to Dubai Civil Defense, the blaze started at 2 a.m. (2200 GMT Friday) on Saturday, and no casualties have so far been reported, although an unknown number of people are still trapped in the 336.1-meter (1,105-ft) building.

Witnesses say that the fire started on the 50th floor of the 79-story high-rise and thousands of people have been evacuated.

“There have been three fire alarms every week recently and all were false. This time I heard it and said it must be false. But then I smelt smoke. I took my wallet and ran down along with my wife. We live on the 59th floor,” a resident said.

“In an hour-and-a-half, the fire is almost out on about 60 floors, it looks like mostly the outer apartments that are damaged,” an eyewitness said.

The cause of the fire, which was brought under control after several hours, is still unknown.