A massive blaze engulfed three residential blocs in central Dubai and led to services on a metro line being suspended on Monday, local media reported. The fire broke out in the Al-Shamsi buildings in the city's Deira neighborhood, across the road from the above-ground Green Line of Dubai Metro, Gulf News said on its website. Local media said no casualties were reported as fire fighters battled the blaze. Footage posted on social media showed flames spewing out of the five-story buildings while thick black smoke billowed above. Dubai transport authority said on its Twitter account that the service between Union and Abu Hail stations was disrupted. The newspaper said the fire broke out in a residential building on Salah Al Deen Street near Muraqqabat police station shortly after 5pm on Monday, destroying three blocks, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of residents from nearby buildings. The fire started in Block B and rapidly spread to Blocks A and C as fire fighters battled to prevent flames spreading to nearby buildings, including a petrol station and a five-star hotel. The fire was put under control at around 10.20pm, but smoke could still be seen bellowing out of the building. Several massive explosions were earlier heard as firemen attempted to rescue residents stranded in the building. The blasts apparently came from gas cylinders exploding and the roof of one of the blocks seemed to have caved in. The wind was making the task difficult for the fire personnel. — Agencies
