Residents Recall Tragedy as Man Falls While Escaping Fire
Eyewitnesses and nearby residents say the scene was like something out of a nightmare.
- Publish date: Monday، 14 April 2025 Last update: Tuesday، 15 April 2025
The Al Nahda community is still reeling from the devastating high-rise fire that erupted on Sunday, claiming five lives and injuring several others. The blaze, which broke out on the 44th floor of a residential tower, turned tragic when a resident fell to his death while attempting to escape by climbing down wires.
Eyewitnesses and nearby residents say the scene was like something out of a nightmare.
“We saw two men trying to slide down the building facade, holding on to the wires. One man succeeded... Another man tried... but we could see his hands were trembling, and he eventually gave up. We watched in horror as he fell to his death,” shared a delivery driver who witnessed the tragedy unfold.
The man who successfully descended had used thick cloth to protect his hands. Sadly, the other wasn’t as prepared. Bystanders screamed as they watched the man fall — a moment now etched in the memories of many who gathered helplessly below.
A City in Shock
The fire injured at least six other people, with one additional resident suffering from smoke inhalation. All are being treated at Al Qassimi Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
On Monday morning, the site bore little sign of the chaos it had seen just 24 hours earlier. Shops were open, and people resumed their routines — but the emotional aftermath lingered.
Some residents were reportedly allowed back into the building by 11pm Sunday night, but the mood remained heavy.
“We had a delivery just half an hour before the fire started,” said M.K., a supermarket owner in the area. “It’s still hard to process what happened.”
Escape Routes Made of Steel
At the time of the fire, construction work was ongoing on the tower’s exterior — including plastering and repainting. Steel wires stretched from the roof to the scaffolding below, which some residents used in desperation to flee the flames.
“I think that the construction work helped to reduce the fatalities,” noted one area resident. “The cladding was removed recently as part of fire safety measures. That may have saved lives.”
According to Sharjah Civil Defence, the fire was reported at 11:30am, with teams from multiple stations responding swiftly to evacuate residents and control the blaze.
Community Steps Up
Despite the tragedy, the spirit of unity shone through. Supermarkets and local stores rushed to offer water and juice to the affected, and some restaurants even sent over food in the evening.
“It was heartening to see everyone helping out how they could,” said Teresa, a Nigerian expat who lives nearby.
The building was known to house many bachelor residents and shared accommodations, which made it popular among workers in the area. The rent was affordable, and multiple tenants often shared single units.
A Day the Community Won’t Forget
From smoke-filled skies to heart-wrenching moments of panic, April 13 will be remembered as a day of tragedy in Sharjah. The loss of life and close calls have sparked conversations around fire safety, emergency response, and community support — with many residents now hugging their loved ones a little tighter.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the city grieves — but also stands together.
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