The residential tower in Sharjah. SHARJAH CIVIL DEFENSE

Authorities have confirmed that legal action may be taken against the owner and manager of a high-rise residential building in Sharjah where a fire over the weekend killed five people and injured 19 others. The deadly blaze broke out on Sunday morning (April 13) in the 51-storey tower located opposite Sahara Centre. Emergency services received a distress call at 11:31am, prompting a large-scale rescue and evacuation operation. Sharjah Civil Defence later confirmed that 148 residents were safely evacuated. Brigadier Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, said the building had been previously flagged for safety violations. “If the building manager and owner are found responsible for these breaches or for failing to meet safety standards, strict legal measures will follow,” Brigadier Al Naqbi warned. An inspection revealed dangerously overcrowded shared living spaces and overloaded electrical systems, which are suspected to have contributed to the fire. The building had also previously used flammable cladding on its façade, which was removed as part of a fire safety campaign. Authorities initially reported four dead and six injured before the casualty numbers later increased. The five confirmed fatalities—reported to be African men—occurred when the victims attempted to escape the flames by climbing down ropes used for exterior repainting. Authorities said one man jumped from the 44th floor, while others fell while descending on scaffolding that collapsed under their weight. “One resident survived the descent, but the others lost their grip and fell,” Al Naqbi said. Nineteen others sustained injuries or suffered smoke inhalation and are currently in stable condition in hospital. Colonel Dr Ahmed Saeed Al Naor, Director General of the General Administration for Operations and Security Support, offered condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The tower consists of 42 residential floors and nine levels of parking. It housed more than 1,500 residents of various nationalities. While most residents were allowed to return to their units on Monday, the top floor remains sealed off as forensic experts continue investigations. ICA/Expat Media
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