A huge fire has broken out in a high-rise hotel in central Dubai close to the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, which ran up at least 20 stories of the building near the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper at 828 meters (905 yards). The building that caught fire was The Address Hotel, according to Reuters, but reports also said it was a residential building.
Burning debris rained down from the building as firetrucks raced to the scene. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in the blaze.
Up to two million people are expected in central Dubai for the fireworks. Crowds gathering to watch the display have been asked to leave the area around the hotel.
Dubai’s scheduled New Year’s Eve celebrations would proceed, a civil defense official said on Al Arabiya television.