Massive fire engulfs luxury hotel in Dubia

A massive fire has engulfed a 63-storey luxury hotel near the site of Dubai's New Year's Eve fireworks display.

The blaze ran up at least 20 storeys of The Address hotel near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper.

The Dubai government said there had been 14 minor injuries, one person was moderately injured and another suffered a heart attack due to overcrowding and smoke at the site.

The city went ahead with its New Year's Eve fireworks displays just hours after the fire broke out.

The blaze was first reported at 9.30pm local time and the Dubai government's media office has tweeted that the fire had started on the 20th floor, on the outside of the tower, and that internal fire-fighting systems were operating "preventing spread of fire inside the hotel".

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Gallery: Massive Blaze Engulfs Luxury Hotel In Dubai

Gallery: Massive Blaze Engulfs Luxury Hotel In Dubai

Four fire brigade teams and civil defence teams were at the site evacuating the hotel and fighting the fire, the government added.

Burning debris was seen falling from the building as firefighters raced to the scene but a police chief was quoted by AFP news agency as saying that all residents had been safely evacuated from the hotel.

It is understood that Dubai Mall, next to the hotel, was evacuated.

Play video "Huge Fire Erupts At Dubai Hotel"

Video: Huge Fire Erupts At Dubai Hotel

The Dubai government media office said that 90% of the fire was under control, adding: "New Year celebrations in Dubai will continue as scheduled."

Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, told Al Arabiya TV: "There are no injuries, thank God...Of course, it will not affect the celebration."

Kenneth Flynn, who had been in the hotel just before it was evacuated, told of panic and "people crushing each other" trying to get out of the hotel.

Play video "Witness Describes Evacuating Hotel"

Video: Witness Describes Evacuating Hotel

He said he had been about two storeys-up having a drink with his partner when she "noticed something falling from the building".

He said: "When we walked out, the whole building was just ablaze. It was unbelievable.

"The heat was so intense.

"People started to panic, crushing each other trying to get down the stairs."

He said he had heard no fire alarm, adding: "I was absolutely terrified".

Witness Lynn Van Jarsfeld, who was also in the building, said: "I don't know how everyone would have got out - it just took so quickly."

Play video "Early Stages Of Dubai Fire"

Video: Early Stages Of Dubai Fire

Angus Villar had been on the 15th floor of the building pouring champagne as he and his family prepared to celebrate the new year.

He told Sky News that his father had gone out onto the balcony before returning to say there was a fire but Mr Villar said he had thought at first that his father was joking.

Shortly afterwards, however, he realised the fire was real and joined the hundreds of people trying to get out of the hotel via the stairs. Mr Villar even had to carry his mother, usually reliant on a wheelchair, on his back.

He said there had been no other warning of the fire, adding: "It is slightly worrying that the alarm went off when it was properly on fire."

Within minutes of news of the fire, many Dubai residents began to tweet offering beds to those evacuated from the hotel, using the hashtag #NeedAnAddress.