Sharjah fire victims hail compensation offer

A number of residents of the 25-storey Al Bakr Tower, who are still living out of relatives’ homes, charities or hotels, said on Sunday that the announcement made by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, was a welcome step. They, however, added that they were yet to be intimated about the details. Over 150 families were affected by the blaze that destroyed the residential tower completely.

Ahmed Manna, a Jordanian national, who was residing on the 18^th floor said his belongings, especially furniture worth thousands of dirhams, had been destroyed by soot. “Our belongings were not damaged by the fire initially but over time, they have become coated with dust and soot,” he said.

“We are unable to remove our furniture because electricity is not yet restored. I don’t know if I will be compensated since my apartment was unaffected directly.”

Mohammed Ghias, who owns the Palmyra Pharmacy, located in the same building hopes he would also benefit from the compensation. “I have lost hundreds of thousands of dirhams when I had to shut down my business for seven days,” he explains.

“Power was cut off and I had to buy a generator to keep medicines under controlled temperature. I have also lost 80 per cent of my customers while I am much concerned about the existing stock worth Dh400,000,” said Ghias.

Dr Gayane Adamyan, a Russian national who used to reside in Apartment 302 continues to help the victims through donations. “I hope whatever I give can help others,” said the dentist. “I had also contacted the municipality after learning that we would be compensated but I have been told that an official notification is still awaited,” she added.

While officials from the maintenance office were seen to be clearing the building on Sunday, residents said there was still no word from the owner.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE