Dubai: A large fire that tore through a residential building in Dubai on Saturday resulted in 16 fatalities and 9 injuries, according to the civil defence.

A spokesperson for the Dubai Civil Defence claimed that "a lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements" was to blame for the fire in the Deira neighbourhood of Al Ras in a statement issued by the Government of Dubai Media Office early on Sunday.

The statement also stated that "relevant authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to provide a detailed report on the causes of the accident."

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The building was evacuated six minutes after firefighters were notified of the fire at 12:35 p.m.

The fire, which started in an apartment on the fourth floor, was put out at 2:42 p.m., about two hours after it started, before cooling procedures began.

Dubai civil defence expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and "stressed the importance of residential and commercial building owners and residents fully complying with security and safety requirements and guidelines to avoid accidents and protect people's lives."

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Large smoke plumes were reportedly seen emanating from the building by witnesses.

Khaleej Times newspaper reported that a building employee who worked in a store claimed to have heard a "loud bang." A few individuals attempted to enter the building quickly and save the tenants, but the smoke was too thick.

Within minutes, there were fire trucks, firefighters, and police officers on the scene. They arrived with a crane and began assisting people. Many lives were saved thanks to their quick action, an eyewitness was quoted as saying in the Khaleej Times.

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Old Deira's Al Ras neighbourhood, which is crowded with people, is home to venerable marketplaces like the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk.