Dubai: When a 24-storey building caught fire on King Faisal Road in Sharjah on Thursday, Twitter users responded immediately, with pictures, videos and by-the-minute updates.
Veathika Jain, who goes by the handle @veathika, shared a video of the building engulfed in smoke, as evacuation procedures were under way, and wrote: “Sharjah fire at King Faisal road! Hope the residents are safe.”
Many expressed their shock and shared their well wishes for those affected. At least 40 people suffered from smoke inhalation, due to the fire.
@davidmkeynes wrote: “Hope no one injured!”
Mildred Cueto or @nowadsouza thanked tweeters for their updates and said: “I hope nobody gets hurt.”
Other tweeters shared traffic updates, to help keep roads in the vicinity clear for ambulances and police vehicles.
@BohoScribe wrote: “Anybody driving through King Faisal towards Al Wahda/Dubai, please avoid. They have diverted traffic…”
A few twitter users launched into a discussion on the structural integrity of buildings and whether they can withstand such heat. At least 40 flats were affected by the flames, in this case.
@doctork101 wrote: “It’s been how many hours? And the building has not fallen? That’s bizarre. Fire makes buildings free fall, doesn’t it? #confused”
Bruce Everiss, who goes by @Bruciebabe, answered his question: “Depends on the construction method.”
