In Pictures: How Dubai Civil Defence tackled The Address hotel fire

Rescue team showed exceptional bravery in the crisis situations

Address Downtown hotel lobby after completion of cooling operations

Dubai's Civil Defence showed exceptional bravery, quick thinking and systematic procedure while dealing with the fire that engulfed several floors of the Address Downtown Hotel in Dubai.

A huge fire broke out in the luxury Dubai hotel late on December 31, 2015, injuring 16 people, just a few hours before the emirate celebrated the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display nearby.

Dubai Civil Defence squads

In the face of this crisis the Dubai police, civil defence and ambulance services came out as the real heroes.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai also praised the efforts by the Dubai authorities for controlling the fire.

Dubai Civil Defence squads

In a tweet on January 1, Sheikh Mohammed said, "Proud of our police, civil defence and ambulance services. You demonstrated best-in-world capabilities last night. We are honored to have such guests in the UAE. With you, despite last night's events, Dubai continued to shine with positivity and modernity."

These brave men fought through the blaze and rescued guests in the luxury hotel - thereby minimising the causalities.

Dubai Civil Defence squads

Security forces imposed a safe sanctuary of the hotel's perimeter, to keep passer-bys safe and to prevent them from any harmful exposure.

Fourteen people sustained minor injuries, one person sustained a moderate injury and one person suffered a heart attack.

There were no fatalities and all injured people were given medical assistance at the site and then transported to hospitals for further treatment.

Dubai Civil Defence squads

Dubai Civil Defence said the fire broke out at around 9:00 pm on Thursday and the initial information indicates that it originated from the 20th floor of the hotel.