For the second time in two years, fire engulfed the exterior of an 84-story high-rise in Dubai Marina in the United Arab Emirates early Friday.
Several floors of the 676-unit building--called Torch Tower--were quickly engulfed in flames, including fires that started when falling debris ignited lower levels. At least two cars in a parking structure erupted in flames sparked by falling debris.
“The fire was very strong at that time, about 1 a.m.," a resident told The Sun. "Then it started calming down over the next two hours. It started on the 67th floor, that’s what we were told.”
He told the newspaper that he was asleep when a fire alarm woke him up.
“We ran down the stairs and it took us about 10 minutes to reach from the 50th floor."
"People still escaping torch tower Dubai... building is well ablaze... looks worse than 2015 fire," Rob Sheperd tweeted.
"Dubai Civil Defense has successfully evacuated the Torch Tower and is working to bring the fire under control," the Dubai Media Office tweeted. ""Firefighting squads from 4 Civil Defense stations have been deployed to bring the fire under control & ensure safety of residents."
According to CNN, no injuries were reported.
In February 2015, fire engulfed the three sides of the exterior of the building.
The cause of that fire was not determined.
