A massive fire broke out in a Dubai skyscraper next to a fireworks display on Thursday.
It is not clear what sparked the blaze, which covered at least 20 stories of the 63-story Address hotel in downtown Dubai, Russia Today reported.
Officials were able to contain the fire at the five-star hotel after a few hours. Sixteen people suffered mostly minor injuries.
The hotel and residential compound has nearly 200 rooms and 600 apartments.
It is near the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper.
Witnesses shared photos of the blaze on twitter and reported panic as people ran away from the burning building.
The Dubai government’s media office said in a tweet that the fire started on the 20th floor, but did not specify a cause, Reuters reported.
Officials also tweeted that civil defense teams were working to evacuate the hotel and tackle the fire.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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