When the sun set over Dubai Marina on Friday night, nobody could have imagined the chaos that would soon unfold.
A massive fire suddenly broke out in one of the area’s most iconic residential towers—Marina Pinnacle—and quickly lit up the skyline with flames and smoke.
Massive Fire Erupts at Marina Pinnacle
At around 9:30 p.m., the 67-storey Marina Pinnacle building, which houses over 3,800 residents across 764 apartments, was engulfed in flames.
Residents were caught off guard as thick smoke billowed through corridors and windows glowed orange in the night sky.
Dubai Civil Defence teams rushed to the scene and battled the blaze for six long hours.
By early Saturday morning, the fire was finally under control—thankfully, without any injuries reported.
Entire Building Safely Evacuated
Miraculously, all residents were safely evacuated.
According to the Dubai Media Office (DMO), emergency responders ensured that everyone was accounted for and safe.
Medical personnel were on-site to offer both physical care and emotional support to those shaken by the experience.
In the aftermath, the authorities worked with the building’s developers to offer temporary housing to displaced residents while the building remained inaccessible.
Families Flee Through Smoke and Fear
Among those caught in the fire was Prateek M., an Indian expat who lives on the 22nd floor with his wife and young son.
Speaking with Khaleej Times, he described the heart-pounding moment he realized the building was on fire.
“People from the next tower were shouting at us to get out,” he said.
“I grabbed my son, told my wife to follow, and we headed straight for the emergency stairs.”
With smoke making it difficult to breathe, the family had to hold onto the shoulders of others as they descended.
“Once we reached the parking levels, it was more ventilated—we could finally breathe,” he recalled.
They’re now staying in a nearby hotel and hope to return soon to check for damage and recover important documents.
Community Members Step Up to Help
Not all residents were home at the time.
Raza, who has lived in the building for three years, returned at 1 a.m. only to find roads closed and access denied.
“I knew there was no way I could go back in,” he said.
Despite being locked out, he stepped in to help—calling taxis for neighbours who had fled the building without their phones.
Raza is now taking time off from work to sort out his temporary housing and says he’s grateful to have support from his employer.
Like many others, he’s anxiously waiting for word on when they can re-enter the building and retrieve their belongings.
Cause of Fire Still Unknown
So far, there’s been no official word on what sparked the fire, though videos circulating online suggest it began on the upper floors.
This isn’t the first time Marina Pinnacle has experienced a fire.
Back in May 2015, a kitchen incident caused a blaze on the 47th floor, according to NDTV.
Transport Disrupted, Authorities React Quickly
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) issued a travel advisory following the incident.
Services between Dubai Marina Station and Palm Jumeirah Station were suspended to keep passengers safe and clear the way for emergency crews.
Temporary bus routes were set up as an alternative.