By dubailife 
Late Friday night, around midnight, residents in Dubai’s bustling Baniyas Square witnessed “thick, black smoke” pouring out of a hotel near the well-known Naif area. The fire reportedly ignited around 11:55 PM, and within minutes, Dubai Civil Defence teams and emergency responders were at the scene, bringing essential fire-fighting support to the site.
Tragically, the Dubai Media Office confirmed on Saturday morning that two people had died from suffocation caused by the fire.
A **Khaleej Times** reporter visited Baniyas Square on Saturday to speak with eyewitnesses who described the chaotic scene that unfolded as the fire erupted. “I suddenly heard people screaming,” shared a local electronics shop owner who was about to close for the night. Typically, he would shut his shop at 11 PM, but due to the Friday rush, he stayed open an additional half hour. Just as he was locking up, he noticed the commotion outside.
“When I stepped out to see what was happening, I couldn’t tell what was wrong and went back inside to finish closing up. But soon, the screams became louder. I looked out and saw two shattered windows with thick smoke billowing out. People were frantically screaming from the hotel windows,” he recalled.
Sharif (a pseudonym used at his request), another eyewitness, was on his way home from work when he encountered emergency vehicles – fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars – heading toward the site.
“As I got closer, I saw the whole area cordoned off, and pedestrians were being redirected,” Sharif explained. He observed the thick smoke streaming from the hotel windows but did not see visible flames.
“By the time I approached, many windows were broken, and smoke was pouring out. Police and civil defence teams entered the building in full protective gear, quickly moving residents and guests to safety,” he added.
Residents recounted how a large crowd had gathered to witness the incident. Sharif left the scene around 12:45 AM, noting that the area was still closed to traffic and remained so until Fajr prayers, underscoring the swift response of Dubai’s emergency services in containing the situation and prioritizing safety.
Source : Khaleejtimes