Legal action is being pursued against the owner and manager of a Sharjah high-rise building following a devastating fire that resulted in the loss of five lives. The blaze, which broke out on Sunday morning in a 51-story residential tower, exposed serious safety violations within the building, prompting authorities to initiate legal action.

 

Tragic Incident

The fire claimed the lives of five residents, all of African nationality, who tragically fell to their deaths while trying to escape the building. The victims attempted to descend from the upper floors using ropes installed for ongoing repainting work. While one resident survived, others lost their grip and fell. One of the victims landed on external scaffolding, which collapsed under the impact.

Sharjah Civil Defence confirmed that 148 residents were successfully evacuated during the emergency, but the building has been under investigation for safety violations.

 

Investigations and Violations

Following a detailed inspection, authorities uncovered several safety violations in the building, including overcrowded shared living spaces and dangerously overloaded electrical systems. These conditions are suspected to have contributed to the fire.

Brigadier Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, stated that if the owner and manager are found responsible for these breaches, legal action would be taken, with potential prosecution for failing to meet safety standards.

 

Legal Implications

The Sharjah authorities have already begun investigating the causes of the blaze, with forensic experts continuing their work on the 42nd floor, where the fire originated. As the investigation progresses, it is expected that the owner and manager may face legal action for fire safety violations and failure to comply with building regulations.

 

Role of Lawyers in the Legal Process

In this case, lawyers can play a crucial role in defending the rights of the victims and holding the owner and manager accountable. Lawyers specializing in fire safety laws and building regulations can assist in gathering evidence, filing lawsuits, and representing victims in court to ensure that legal action is taken against those responsible for safety breaches. Additionally, legal experts can offer guidance on navigating the judicial system and ensuring that appropriate penalties are imposed for non-compliance with safety standards.

 

Fire Safety Campaign and Prevention

Before the fire, the building had already been flagged for safety risks. As part of the government's fire safety campaign, flammable cladding was removed from the building's exterior, which helped contain the blaze. This was part of a Dh100 million initiative led by the Sharjah authorities to replace flammable panels with fire-resistant materials on high-risk buildings.

Authorities are actively working to improve fire safety across the region, with a second phase targeting 163 medium-risk buildings, all of which are over seven stories high.

 

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