Dubai: At least 100 apartments at the Torch Tower in Dubai Marina will remain inaccessible until necessary repairs are undertaken and the flats are declared safe for use, an insurance company said on Tuesday.
Out of the 676 apartment units in the building, which was gutted by fire on February 21, 101 flats have been closed for assessment.
The building’s insurer, Oman Insurance Company (OIC), said they are not finished with the assessment yet and it remains uncertain when the flats will be turned over to the occupants or landlords.
The affected tenants who are still staying in the alternative accommodation have only until Friday to look for their own place. The insurer earlier made arrangements to accommodate up to 70 displaced occupants.
“As per the agreed terms with the Torch Tower’s Owners Association, we will provide free accommodation up to the morning of the 27th of February,” Balaji Ganapathy, senior vice president, head of non-motor claims at Oman Insurance, told Gulf News.
The insurance company could not confirm how long the affected apartments will remain closed to tenants, saying that everything will depend on the nature and extent of the damage to each unit.
“Assessments are currently ongoing on an apartment by apartment basis,” Ganapathy said.
“We understand the urgency of managing the necessary repairs as quickly as possible, but the priority is to ensure that the displaced family can return to their homes only once the apartments are safe and habitable again.”
The insurer has waived the standard “24-hour deductible” and immediately provided temporary shelter to help the fire victims.
OIC has been commissioned by the Torch Tower’s Owners Association to insure the building. It does not have an insurance contract with the tenants.
