Abu Dahbi – Eight family members of an Emrati family died due to sudden fire breakout in the villa in East-7 district Abu Dahbi on Tuesday during Fajr prayers. While other family members were injured and transported to hospital.
Family and friends said the blaze began on the ground floor and swept through the two-storey plus premises before firefighters could arrive.
According to GulfNews, the deceased include two women [40-year-old sister of the home owner, and his daughter, 21] and six children aged between 2 to 5.
Residents in the neighbourhood were rocked by sirens after they woke up for Fajr prayers.
A Somali neighbour sighed, “I don’t have words to express my shock on this tragic incident. May Allah bestow them Jannah.”
Thani Salem Muslim, a relative of the deceased, told media that the fire broke out while the owner of the house and his brother went to perform Fajr prayer at the mosque. When they returned at 5.30am, they found the villa ablaze.
“We are deeply saddened about this tragic accident, but this is Almighty Allah’s will, and no one can escape it,” he said.
Hamdan Al Amri, an Emirati who lives close by, said: “This is a sorrowful and traumatising incident. I have never seen such a large number of casualties in one incident. I am not aware of the cause of the fire, but I believe each home must be fitted with a fire alarm to alert Civil Defence operations rooms to prevent such incidents,” he said.
Abu Dhabi Police expressed their deepest condolences to the family. Brigadier General Mohammad Mayouf Al Ketbi, Director General of Civil Defence in Abu Dhabi, said that investigations are under way to determine the cause of the fire.
Funeral prayers were held yesterday after Asr prayers at Bani Yas graveyard.
