Dubai Skyscraper Hotel Engulfed in Flames Near City’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display

Room service is temporarily unavailable at the Address Downtown

A fire engulfed a 63-story luxury hotel in Dubai New Year’s Eve and some revelers initially mistook the flames for part of the city’s large fireworks celebration.

The hotel is part of the Downtown Dubai development, which includes the world’s tallest building, the 160-story Burj Khalifa, which was at the center of the fireworks display.

The fire broke out on the hotel’s 20th floor, according to authorities, a few hours before the emirate began a New Year’s celebration. Sixteen people were injured, including one person who had a heart attack during the hotel’s evacuation.

While it’s being reported that fire alarms failed to work, the building’s fire extinguishing system did in fact work and gave occupants enough time to get out alive.

The Address Downtown had marketed itself as “the perfect place to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks.”

(Photo: Accura Media Group)