Fire engulfs Dubai hotel near world's tallest building

Wounded people are seen outside the Address Downtown Dubai hotel and residential block after a fire engulfed the skyscraper in downtown Dubai in the United Arab Emirates December 31, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

FIREWORKS TO GO AHEAD

Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, told the pan-Arab television channel Al Arabiya that the Burj Khalifa festivities would go ahead despite the fire, saying: "Of course, it will not affect the celebration."

A Reuters correspondent saw police evacuating a viewing area near the base of the Burj Khalifa, where tourists and Dubai residents were set to enjoy one of the world's largest pyrotechnic displays to usher in 2016.

The Dubai government's media office said the blaze had started on the 20th floor, on the outside of the 300-metre tower, and that internal fire-fighting systems were operating to try to prevent it getting inside the hotel. Four fire brigade teams were at the site.

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

The 160-storey Burj Khalifa tower opened in 2010 and stands almost 830 metres (2,722 feet) tall.