• Home

Razed dreams of Salam Street fire victims

A small fire broke out in a flat in the capital city's Salam Street area on Wednesday night.
The fire broke out on the balcony of flat No 902 of Ali Khoori building, between 9.30-9.45pm. As many as four fire engines and two police vans rushed to the spot, and soon evacuated the overcrowded building.
The fire is believed to have started due to a short circuit in one of the ACs. Five ACs were mounted on the balcony wall. The most affected occupants were six Indians - four from Karnataka and two from Kerala - who were staying in the room adjacent to the balcony.
"We all rushed downstairs after hearing a thunderous sound," said Siddique (name changed), one of the flat's occupants. "We didn't expect it would be such a big fire," he said.
After the firefighters left, the tenants were allowed back into the building at midnight. Luckily, Siddique and his friends found that their passports and other documents, left wrapped inside bags, were safe. The flatmates, however, had a tough time grappling in the dark and cleaning the room.
Remains of the day...
On Thursday morning, the dusty haze that had engulfed the capital was very much reflected in the flat. The mood was one of gloom and despair.
One roommate is getting married next month, and all five are set to attend the wedding in India. They had already gone on a massive shopping for the event. The fire that spared their passports ruined their new clothes and destroyed branded shoes. One of them was going back home after four years, and all his shopping and gifts for people back home has been razed.
"Three of us haven't gone to work as we don't have anything to wear. I went to office wearing clothes borrowed from a friend," Siddique said.
The six friends are clueless as to what awaits them next - police action or legal hurdles, if any. And they are short of money to face it too.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi