Fire Partially Destroys Abandoned 
Al Nasr Cinema Building

The exterior of the building remains but the screen, projector and seats of the cinema were reduced to charcoal.

Firefighters managed to put out the fire before it could spread to the neighbouring buildings or cause injuries to people.

Captain Saeed Al Rahoomi, who led the firefighting team, said it took them seven minutes to reach the location. “The fire was put out in 20 minutes but now our team is engaged in cooling off the place.”

Lt-Col Rashid Al Falasi, another official at the civil defence stated that the cause of the fire was unknown and ruled out insurance fraud or electric fault.

“We are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire but we don’t think there is any foul play involved. Also, since the building has been abandoned for a long time, it did not have an electricity connection,” he said.

Commuters at various locations in Dubai noticed black smoke engulf the clear skies.

People and construction workers in the area gathered around the building which was once a landmark here.

“I was on my way to work and saw a large column of black smoke rise around Sana,” said Joseph John.

The Al Nasr Cinema was established in the 1980’s and though it closed down two and a half years ago, the structure continued to remain a constant landmark in the changing landscape of Dubai.

“It’s another landmark in Dubai’s history which is sadly gone. I remember around 1993 when the evening shows used to be filled with students due to its proximity to schools. Also at that time when multiplexes weren’t around, it was a typical hangout destination,” said Joseph John.

A resident of Karama, Vivek Kukreti has grown up with the cinema in his vicinity. “It’s been there ever since I’ve been here. So it’s pitiful that the fire has ruined it,” he said.

The Al Nasr Cinema, a popular theatre mainly for Asian films was to be pulled down to construct a hotel and multiplex cinema.

news@khaleejtimes.com