Sharjah Abbco Tower fire: Residents to stay in hotels until renovation is completed

The Sharjah Charity Association (SCA) continues to ensure that temporary shelter is provided for the affected residents of Abbco Tower in Al Nahda area, which was destroyed in a massive blaze on Tuesday.
This follows directives issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Abdullah Sultan bin Khadim, executive director of SCA, said the Ruler of Sharjah visited the building destroyed in the fire, which resulted in many residents losing their shelter and belongings. "His Highness directed the SCA to provide relief and shelter to the affected residents until the building is safe and they can go back to their homes again."
He said that Sheikh Sultan is closely following up on the condition of the affected residents. Bin Khadim pointed out: "In light of the directives, we have coordinated with several hotels to provide overnight rooms, safe housing and psychological stability for families affected by the fire."
He added that the SCA has not confined its efforts to providing shelter to affected families, but is also conducting studies to offer other kinds of assistance that they require. The field research teams visited the affected families in the hotels to take stock of their situation and ascertain their further needs. "We will not leave any needy to suffer."
Hotel owner offers 160 rooms
Bin Khaidm pointed out that Dr Hassan Al Marzouqi, the owner of the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, offered 160 residential rooms in his hotel to accommodate the affected families until their condition improves. "His kind gesture is commendable," he said.
He called on the people to extend their support to the SCA in its humanitarian work and enable it to play its crucial role to help the needy.
"My mother is on visit visa, her passport got burned'
Shiva Dasan, a resident of the building affected by the fire, said that he has been provided a room in Royal Grand to shelter his family, including his mother, wife and a child. "The police and charity teams visited us on Saturday and comforted us, saying that they will provide us all necessary needs until the building is safe to go back to. I tried to get into the building to check my belongings, but they didn't allow anyone inside, as Sewa is working to fix the electricity first to help us use the stairs."
He added: "I am trying to send back my elderly mother who came on a visit visa and got stuck because of the lockdown. Her passport got burnt in the fire. Now, I require a new passport to send her in the repatriation flights. She is ill and it is very difficult to provide her with treatment here. It will take too long to get documents from the police to get new passport issued to her."
I would like to extend my thanks and support to the Sharjah Ruler, police and civil defence for saving our lives and providing us their full support, he said.
Mona Akasha, a woman who stayed at the 16th floor in Abbco building, said she and her family, including her husband and two children, were provided with a comfortable room in the Sheraton Hotel. "We have been told that they will notify us when the building is ready and safe. They said they will provide us with an Iftar meal every day and anything we need. I thank the government of Sharjah for helping us out."
Riyad, another resident of the destroyed building, said that he was offered two rooms in Salam Grand, since he has a big family. "After the fire was contained, the police and civil defence provided us with Sahoor and water and comforted us. Then they provided us with buses and transport to various hotels. They visited us today and monitored our situation and I told them that the car belonging to my father has got completely damaged due to the flaming debris. The team promised to help and assist us to issue documents for an insurance company"
Riyad added they deliver Iftar meal at our doorstep. "Police won't allow residents to go inside the destroyed building, until electricity is restored."
Joud Khan, another resident of the Abbco building, said that she and her husband were provided with a room in Sheraton Hotel and they are very comfortable, even though they are not sure how much belongings they will be able to retrieve. "When the fire started, we just ran out with some clothes and our wallets. We hope when we go back, we find everything fine in our flat although it is on the side which has been badly affected."
"We would like to thank Sharjah authorities for the support and assistance that they provided us in this dismal situation," she added.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com 

• Sharjah

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com