AJMAN: Firefighters extinguished a blaze on Tuesday that burned up the side of several towers in the United Arab Emirates city of Ajman, the latest in a series of skyscraper infernos in the Gulf nation, which is home to the world’s tallest building.

Civil defence workers sprayed water to cool down any remaining embers at the Ajman One development.

The city is home to many commuters who work in the Gulf commercial hub of Dubai, further to the south. The complex, developed for an estimated $720 million by Aqaar, includes 12 residential towers.

Two sustained severe damage to their exteriors, while others appeared to have light damage. The cause for the blaze, which began on Monday night, wasn’t immediately clear.

Civil defence officials declined to comment, while telephone numbers for Aqaar rang unanswered on Tuesday. The state-run WAM news agency said Ajman’s ruler, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, visited the complex on Tuesday and praised firefighters’ efforts.

He also ordered authorities to accommodate those affected until they find housing. The fire started around 9pm at Tower No. 8 in the complex, then spread to neighbouring Tower No. 6 when winds carried burning debris toward it, resident Syad Faisal Shah said. “No one knew that this was a real fire. No one understood,” said Shah, a Pakistani expatriate.

“When we got downstairs ... we saw that the building was on fire from every angle.” Mina Fayez, another resident, was stunned.” You are losing your things in front of your eyes,” Fayez, an Egyptian, said.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2016