Dubai: Floating Bridge reopens; boat fire near Festival City 'under control'

Updated

Dubai, Mar 10 (Emirates 24/7): Dubai Police confirmed Floating Bridge has reopened after it was shut earlier today as a precautionary measure when several vessels caught fire in Al Jadaf dockyard in the morning hours.

However, residents confirm that the cloud of smoke was still visible over Dubai Festival City two hours later.

Reports coming in also claim the cause of the fire is a collision of two fuel carriers; however, Civil Defence has yet to confirm this.

The fire broke out approximately 9.40am, as per Dubai Police, with Civil Defence authorities arriving on the scene within minutes.

An hour later, Dubai Police reported: "Fire in Al Jadaf is under control..."

Twitter users started reporting on the fire around the same time, even as the smoke cloud was witnessed by residents as far as Sheikh Zayed Road.
  

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Business Bay Bridge (both sides) and Garhoud Bridge choc-a-bloc, while the temporary closure of Floating Bridge resulted in jams on Al Maktoum Bridge.

Nitin S, who works at Solas Marine, which has offices in Jadaf Dockyard reported that "large bangs" were also heard a few minutes after the fire spread.

"We saw the smoke around 9.30am, and shortly after heard two explosive sounds," he said. "From what we can see here, the fire is situated in the boat repair dockyard, which is located near Gate 2. Our offices are located near Gate 1."

He further added: "We have been told there are two small vessels on fire, but the firefighting team is on the scene."