Dubai Police arrested a man who ignited a public street during a birthday stunt. His vehicle was impounded. DUBAI POLICE

Dubai Police have arrested a young man who set a public street on fire using a flammable substance in a reckless birthday stunt filmed for social media. Authorities said the act endangered the lives of motorists and pedestrians and caused damage to public property. Brigadier Juma bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said the behavior constituted a serious traffic violation and reflected “reckless conduct that threatens lives and property.” According to Dubai Police, the man carried out the stunt to gain online followers, but his attempt at viral fame quickly turned into a criminal investigation. The burning streak across the road obstructed traffic, created confusion among road users, and posed a risk of fire spreading to nearby surroundings. Once the video circulated on social media, police monitoring teams swiftly analyzed the footage and identified the culprit along with the vehicle involved. Authorities impounded the car, issued fines, and initiated legal action. Dubai Police said such violations can carry penalties of up to Dh2,000, 23 black points, and vehicle impoundment for up to 60 days. More serious cases may face additional charges under public safety and vandalism laws. The authority urged parents to remain vigilant and educate their children about the dangers of imitating hazardous online trends. “Using public roads for dangerous stunts or filming videos to post on social media is completely unacceptable,” bin Suwaidan said. Dubai Police reminded the public that chasing likes and views does not justify breaking the law or endangering lives, reiterating their commitment to identifying and prosecuting such incidents swiftly. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page