A fire engulfed a high-rise residential building in Dubai on Thursday near the site of an upcoming New Year’s fireworks display, according to several published reports.
The fire took over at least 20 floors of the building, according to the BBC, with debris raining down into the streets. The building has been identified as The Address, a 60-story five-star luxury hotel and residential skyscraper.
The fireworks display was set to begin nearby at the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. According to the Associated Press, 1.6 tons of fireworks were prepared for the event.
It was not immediately clear what the cause of the fire might have been, but according to Al Jazeera, the United Arab Emirates’Civil Defence officials said there were no casualties.