UPDATED: 3:34 p.m. ET
A massive fire broke out at the 63-story Address Hotel in downtown Dubai late Thursday night, shortly before a New Year's celebration was scheduled to take place nearby at the world's tallest skyscraper. Witnesses posted harrowing photos and videos to social media as flames swept up the side of the building.
Initial reports say there have been 14 minor injures, including one person who suffered a heart attack as a result of the stampede to escape the burning building.
Fire at The Address hotel, Downtown Dubai (KT video by Rahul Gajjar) pic.twitter.com/eARxjIn3AE— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) December 31, 2015
Despite the large fire, the New Year's Eve celebration went off as scheduled in Dubai. Tens of thousands of people whistled and cheered at the display taking place at the Burj Khalifa, while teams of firefighters were working to put out the blaze.
. @DXBMediaOffice: New Year celebrations in Dubai will continue as scheduled #MyDubaiNewYear— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 31, 2015
More photos of smoke-obscured fireworks in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/0dpeZDRYcs— Mashable News (@MashableNews) December 31, 2015
Smoke from hotel fire is visible as fireworks explode from Burj Khalifa in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/kWCl6R5NgB— Mashable News (@MashableNews) December 31, 2015
A tweet by the Dubai Media Office reports that the fire started on the 20th floor, outside the hotel.
The office also said that internal extinguishers prevented the spread of the fire inside the hotel.
The fire at the Address Downtown reported to have originated from outside 20th floor of hotel, has not spread inside— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 31, 2015
It started from a tiny fire & in no time at all spread all the way up the building #Dubai #AddressFire pic.twitter.com/rykqos5Euj— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 31, 2015
Dubai right now! #horrific!! Address Hotel on fire pic.twitter.com/Q5qzGuBYRO— Atieh S (@AtiehS) December 31, 2015
The Address Hotel was completed in 2008, and contains 196 hotel rooms and 626 apartments. As one of the 20 tallest buildings in Dubai, the Address is located near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper.
Dubai planned to wow spectators with three separate firework displays that was to begin at the Burj Khalifa, which organizers said was fitted with 400,000 LED lights. They said 1.6 tons of fireworks would be used in the display. From there, the fireworks were to light up the sky around the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and later down near the Dubai Marina.
Yikes. Major fire in #Dubai at the address hotel, right next to #DubaiFireworks site pic.twitter.com/87Z2cidfYm— Barry Whyte (@bwhyte11) December 31, 2015
The hotel was reportedly evacuated as the fire broke out.
One man who evacuated the hotel told Sky News said there were no alarms inside the hotel and that the only way he knew of the fire was flaming debris that was falling from the building.
#DubaiFire The Address has been evacuated, and people are being moved out of #Dubai Mall https://t.co/FmjoievZQ9 pic.twitter.com/IafdKJtw3F— Gulf News (@gulf_news) December 31, 2015
People are running away! This is so horrific!!!!! Falling on people's houses pic.twitter.com/gq9AXEyTJr— Atieh S (@AtiehS) December 31, 2015
Oh my God, this is absolutely terrible. Please pray for everyone staying the the Dubai Address Hotel. pic.twitter.com/PrhSso0H6t— ****** (@Hanavelli) December 31, 2015
Additional reporting by the Associated Press.