Fire Contained in Al Barsha Residential Building Near Mall of the Emirates
A fire broke out in a residential building near the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai’s Al Barsha area on Tuesday afternoon, but was swiftly brought under control thanks to the rapid response of emergency services.
According to the Dubai Media Office, firefighters arrived on the scene within six minutes of receiving the call at 2 p.m. Residents were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
“Dubai Civil Defence teams have successfully contained a fire that broke out in a residential building in Al Barsha today,” officials confirmed on X.
To aid operations, Dubai Civil Defence deployed advanced Shaheen drones, specially designed for high-rise firefighting. These drones, which can reach up to 200 meters, carry a 1,200-litre tank of water and foam, enabling swift aerial support in tackling flames.
Authorities said cooling operations were ongoing, after which the site would be handed over to relevant agencies for further inspection.
This latest incident comes as Dubai continues to enhance its use of technology in disaster response. Earlier this year, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (Ncema) projected a significant rise in drone-assisted firefighting. By 2028, drone use in emergencies is expected to increase twenty-fold, with AI powering 70% of decision-making by 2030, according to Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, Director of Ncema’s National Operations Centre.
The Al Barsha area has witnessed several similar incidents in recent months. In May, a gas leak sparked a restaurant blaze, while last December, a fire in an eight-story building forced temporary relocations after fire alarms failed. A separate apartment evacuation also took place in October due to another fire.
Thanks to rapid action and new technologies, Tuesday’s fire was contained quickly, ensuring the safety of all residents.
