Left homeless after fire, it was a bleak Christmas for victims

Some victims lived in a parking lot near their building for a day after the fire.

They might have lost priced possessions in the massive fire. But an innate spirit to find happiness even in tragic situations has grown stronger with the victims of last month's fire in Muraqqabat, Deira.
Just a month was left for the Christmas, when the fire gutted Al Shamsi building on November 23, affecting the lives of over 50 families.
How did more than 100 victims of that fire celebrate Christmas?
One of the victims of the fire that gutted the entire residential complex told Khaleej Times that with hopeful hearts, her flat mates and her celebrated a very bleak Christmas.
Filipino national, Aimee Oliveros is the kind of person who saw a silver lining in a dark cloud.
"What happened to us in the fire is very sad. but that didn't stop us from celebrating Christmas," said Oliveros.
"We salvaged whatever we could from the fire. However, bigger things like the television and the refrigerator had to be left behind."
Most of the families living in the apartments happened to be Filipino nationals.
There were also some Indian and Pakistani nationals living in the building.
Several families were moved to apartment buildings in Abu Hail after the tragedy. Many are still living in these temporary accommodations and some are still searching for permanent homes.
Oliveros now lives along with nine other flat mates in an apartment and according to her; the Christmas was beautiful in its own way. "We celebrated and cooked food with our friends in these flats," she said.
Another fire victim Jonil Bugo also observed a very bleak Christmas this year. He said he had little or no reason to celebrate.
"I moved out and found another apartment in Muraqqabat. It was too congested in Abu Hail. I celebrated Christmas with some friends," he said. Another victim Alvin Villanueva said: "We were in desperate situation when this happened. But we are much better now. and even though Christmas was bleak, the New Year will be better."
According to other sources that lived in the building, the residents are still waiting for the report from Dubai Civil Defence. A shop owner whose electronics warehouse was located below the building said that he has suffered losses worth a few millions.
"I too celebrated Christmas this year. Lost possessions can be regained. Fortunately, no one lost their lives," added Villanueva.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai

Dhanusha Gokulan

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com