Dubai: A massive fire broke out at The Address Hotel, not far from the Burj Khalifa Tower, around which thousands of people have gathered to watch the New Year fireworks.
Firefighting teams were dispatched. Officials said authorities are currently on site to deal with the incident.
The Dubai Civil Defence said they have it under control, an official said.
A civil defence spokesperson said: "three teams are battling the flames, and they almost have it under control". He added that the hotel has been evacuated.
Other areas further from the fire are unaffected and people are still lined up for the event. All gazes were averted to the burning hotel.
Eyewitness said that people are being evacuated out of Dubai Mall and the hotel.
Debris can be seen falling out from the buildings while people around are watching helplessly.
"I hope everyone is safe. I can't believe this is happening at this time," said one eye witness.
"This is horrific. I hope everyone is safe. I can see things falling out of the building," said another witness.
Dubai planned to wow spectators with three separate firework displays. The show was to begin at the Burj Khalifa, which organizers said was fitted with 400,000 LED lights. They said 1.6 tons of fireworks would be used in the display.
From there, the fireworks were to light up the sky around the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and later down near the Dubai Marina. Fireworks also will be on display in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country of seven emirates.
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