சார்ஜாவில் தீ (படங்கள் இணைப்பு)

A massive fire on Thursday destroyed 26 residential storeys of Al Nasser Tower on King Faisal Road, Sharjah, leaving 250 families homeless.

The fire started at about 2.15pm in an apartment on the first floor of the building comprising 32 floors - 24 residential and six parking. The flames soon spread to the upper levels, reaching the top-most floor of the building.

No serious casualties were reported, according to Civil Defence officials, though 14 cars parked on the sixth level of parking, were destroyed.

Over 40 residents were given first-aid in the five ambulances dispatched after they suffered from smoke inhalation, while moderate cases were rushed to Al Qasimi and Al Kuwaiti hospitals in Sharjah.

Residents of the affected and neighbouring buildings were evacuated by air wing police and early intervention units, while fire-fighters from various stations worked to douse the flames. While the air wing used loud speakers to urge residents to evacuate, police and Civil Defence personnel went from apartment to apartment knocking at doors to evacuate residents.