Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan followed-up the progress of a firefighting operation as a massive fire broke out in a 31-storied building in Al Nahda area in Sharjah today.
Civil defence personnel, the air-wing of the Sharjah Police and the rapid intervention force were in action to bring the fire under control and evacuate the residents to safer places.
Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Brigadier Abdullah Saeed Al Suwaidi was in control of the firefighting operation as soon as the alert came 12:45 pm early afternoon.
The fire had broken out in the eighth floor of the building and spread to other areas, but the civil defence supported by the rapid intervention force could evacuate the residents into safer places with the help of helicopters and other means.
A mother and her three children confined to the apartment in the 25th floor were rescued without any injuries.
The fire was brought under control within half an hour in the joint operation.
Brigadier Al Suwaidi called upon occupants of flats and villas to take precautions and watch out causes of fire such as gas and electric extensions, indicating that fire extinguishers must be at the kitchens to use when necessary.
Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the fire.
