Courage, coordination, and profesionalism

Posted June 16, 2025. At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, a fire broke out on the upper floors of the 67-story Marina Pinnacle building — commonly known as “Tiger Tower” after its developer — in Dubai.

Within 10 minutes, Dubai Civil Defense dispatched multiple fire engines, ambulances, and police units to the scene. Responders secured the perimeter and halted nearby tram services to allow full access for firefighting operations.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, similar incidents in the area have involved combustible cladding, electrical faults, or balcony hazards such as discarded cigarettes or outdoor cooking.

Evacuation Under Pressure

Emergency teams faced the immense challenge of evacuating 3,820 residents from 764 apartments. Their response was highly coordinated: police and Civil Defense personnel cleared stairwells and hallways, while firefighters advanced floor by floor, dousing spot fires and ensuring no one was left behind.

First Sergeant Saif Mohammad Al Gafli described the demanding physical conditions. After riding a functioning elevator to the 35th floor, he and his team climbed additional stories in full gear as the fire knocked the elevator out of service.

Strategic Firefight and Containment

Firefighters deployed hose lines and activated sprinkler systems, working against wind-driven flames and falling debris. The fire was brought under control after approximately 6 hours. Cooling operations targeted the roof and exterior cladding, where flames had rapidly spread.

In a display of tactical innovation, responders used risers from adjacent buildings to direct water laterally onto the fire’s façade — a technique refined during past high-rise emergencies.

Medical and Psychological Support

Ambulance crews and medical personnel remained on-site throughout the night, providing immediate care for smoke inhalation and emotional stress. Displaced residents were offered temporary accommodations at nearby hotels, arranged in coordination with building management and emergency services. Remarkably, there were no reported casualties.

Leadership and Coordination

Senior officials, including the Director-General of Civil Defense, led the response. They provided frequent public updates and coordinated efforts among firefighters, police, and building administrators. The goal was to evacuate the entire tower within 30 minutes. Residents confirmed that this was achieved in roughly 20–25 minutes.

A phased reentry plan was implemented, beginning with the lower floors and progressing upward, to maintain safety as cooling operations continued.

The Result: A Model of Emergency Response

Dubai’s emergency teams delivered a textbook response:

• Rapid mobilization: Units arrived on site in under 10 minutes.

• High-rise firefighting experience: Lessons from previous tower fires informed their strategy.

• Teamwork under pressure: Crews climbed dozens of floors in full gear, guided frightened residents to safety, and worked in smoke-filled conditions.

• Addressing the cladding threat: The fire’s quick spread across exterior panels underscores the importance of ongoing improvements to building materials.

Summary

Dubai’s emergency responders — especially the firefighters of Civil Defense — demonstrated extraordinary courage, coordination, and professionalism. Confronting a fast-moving fire near the top of a 67-story residential tower, they led a massive, injury-free evacuation and mounted a strategic firefighting effort that contained the blaze without loss of life.