A man sustained minor injuries after a massive fire broke out on two cargo vessels docked at the Dubai Creek near Deira area.
The inferno raged on for several hours, before it was brought under control by the emergency services at around 6.15 pm (local time). Fire and emergencies services were alert about the inferno at around 3pm.
It is reported that at least four boats, including traditional sailing boats known in Arabic as dhows were destroyed in the inferno at Dubai Creek.
Thick smoke billowing from the burning vessel spread to several areas nearby such as Dubai Courts, floating bridge, Karama, Sheikh Zayed Road and Oud Metha.
The Khaleej Times reported that fire fighters and emergency crews from five station including Rashidya, Port Saeed, Al Ras and Karama had to be deployed to bring the fire under control.
One person reportedly sustained minor injuries. Eyewitnesses claim that they saw at least four people jump out from two of the burning vessels.
Emirates24/7 reported that the two boats in which the fire start were carrying food supplies, besides tyres and papers.
Some social media users claimed that the fire spread around the vessel docking yard and destroyed a few buildings.
A video released on YouTube shows the blaze spreading into other boats, while thick smoke could be seen billowing from the scene. Local residents took to Twitter to share the pictures of the inferno and requested commuters to avoid Al Maktoum Bridge as the smoke was affecting visibility.
Twitter Updates
#Fire at #dubai creek side.#Realtime pictures from this buildings window! Hope everything is undercontrol out there. pic.twitter.com/tydmnx6Fk1
— Bayezid (@bayezet) July 13, 2015
Raj Adnani ツ @razzmatazz_7
FIRE IN THE HOLE!! There is a thick smoke coming from the Creek of Dubai where the construction is going on! #fire #dubai MI News Place
@minewsplace
ALERT: Photo: Fire at a dock facility in Dubai - Halla1101 #breakingnews #alert Bayezid @bayezet 30s30 seconds ago #fireindubai the fumes are continously increasing! #dxb #fire #dubaicreek #dubai
→ @khaleejtimes Pictures: Vessel on fire in #Dubai Creek (1/2) http://t.co/0x9qMEXlBb pic.twitter.com/QgOXI4SydV — Bilawal Says (@bilawalsays) July 13, 2015
Bindu Rai @BinduRai
Fire at #Deira Creek; 2 dhows; no confirmation on casualties. Heat is intense
Faizan Haroon @fazirana1
Dubai creek near Deira . Ships on fire.
A massive fire engulfing a ship/berge in deira creek as the smoke is covering up the skyline!@gulf_news #mydubai pic.twitter.com/cEkc8FKNsH
— SumSum (@SumaiyaRKabir) July 13, 2015
Looks like a big fire over in Deira! pic.twitter.com/0C6s7mSKsn — Ben Hughes (@Huge774) July 13, 2015