Updated

Dubai, Jan 1 (AFP): A huge fire ripped through a luxury Dubai hotel on December 31 as people gathered to watch New Year's Eve celebrations, injuring at least 16 people, authorities said.

Dubai's government media office tweeted that a "fire has been reported in the Address Downtown hotel. Authorities are currently on-site to address the incident swiftly and safely".

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

The 63-storey building, which is close to Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, was engulfed in flames across several floors as sirens wailed and helicopters hovered overhead, witnesses said.

Dubai's police chief said all the hotel's residents had been evacuated from the scene of the blaze, which had still not been extinguished some two hours after it broke out.

"All the residents are out," General Khamis Matar al-Mzeima said.

"Until the fire is put out, we will not have information on what caused it," he added.

"At least 14 people have been slightly injured, along with one medium injury, and a heart attack case registered due to people pushing" amid the smoke, the media office tweeted.

Witness Raphael Slama told AFP the fire started at around 9:30 pm (1730 GMT) and rapidly spread upwards across dozens of floors.

The government tweeted that the fire erupted on the 20th floor and affected only the outer facade of the building.

"Four firefighting teams have been deployed" to fight the blaze, it added.

Authorities said earlier that they had deployed thousands of security personnel to ensure visitors and residents could enjoy the New Year's festivities safely.

The emirate had promised a "spectacular" fireworks display that was set to kick-off at midnight from the Burj Khalifa before spreading to various locations across the city.

A spokeswoman for the government said the planned festivities would go ahead despite the fire."New Year's celebrations will proceed according to schedule," Mona al-Marri was quoted by Al-Arabiya as saying, before confirming on her Twitter account.

Earlier Report

Fire engulfs Dubai tower before New Year celebrations

Dubai, Jan 1 (IANS): Fire broke out on Thursday in a luxurious hotel in Dubai where people were gathering nearby to watch the New Year's fireworks show.

The fire broke out around 9.30 p.m. at the Address Downtown Dubai hotel, close to the world's tallest building, the iconic Burj Khalifa, and near to the site of a planned fireworks show.

According to local media, the fire started at the 20th floor from the exterior of the hotel, and the fire control systems were perating to prevent the fire from reaching the interior of the building.

About four fire-fighting teams were working to stop the fire from spreading and ensure public safety.

The Dubai Civil Defence Director said the fire will not effect Burj Khalifa New Year's celebrations.

No casualties were reported, according to Dubai General Department of Traffic.

The hotel seems well booked, with many guests seen on their balconies as fire bridges were rushing in and the fire was spreading to the high floors.