Fire breaks out at Dubai Torch apartment skyscraper

A fire blazes at "The Torch", a residential high-rise tower, in Dubai February 21, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

DUBAI - One of the world's tallest building in Dubai Marina district caught fire on Saturday and thousands of residents were evacuated from the high-rise Marina Torch and other buildings around.

Fire broke out at the 57th floor of the 79-story tower at 2:00 am (2200 GMT Friday) Saturday, according to local media Gulf News.

A witness said flames shot out from two sides of the building as glass and metal rained down from near the summit of the structure, which stands more than 336.1 meters (1105 feet) tall.

The blowing wind with sandstorm cause massive problems. To avoid falling debris on site, roads within two kilometers from the tower were all closed, and traffic in the area was diverted.

Residents of two other nearby buildings in the emirate's Marina district, home to thousands of expatriate professionals, were also evacuated, the witness said.

A medical response team said no fatalities being reported yet.

Upon the publishing of the news, Dubai authorities said the fire was extinguished.

Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Gulf Arab trade and investment hub.