Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab was the scene of a major emergency response on Saturday evening after an incident triggered a fire at the landmark hotel, injuring several people and heightening security fears across the Gulf.
Videos circulating online showed thick smoke rising from the base of the sail-shaped structure as firefighters and emergency personnel rushed to contain the blaze. Authorities later confirmed the fire had been brought under control, though they have not officially verified the cause.
The development came hours after a separate fire broke out at Fairmont The Palm in the Palm Jumeirah district, where four people were injured. Officials in the United Arab Emirates said an incident had occurred at a building in the area and confirmed the injured were taken to hospital.
While some reports linked the Palm Jumeirah incident to a drone strike or falling debris, authorities have not publicly confirmed any weapon involvement.
The incidents coincided with rising regional tensions after Iran announced it had launched drones and missiles across parts of the Middle East following joint operations earlier in the day by the United States and Israel.
Explosions were also reported near U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and within the UAE. Smoke was seen near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, while local reports indicated one fatality in Abu Dhabifollowing missile interceptions.
In Dubai, witnesses described hearing loud blasts as aerial interceptions lit the sky. Authorities urged residents and visitors to remain indoors and follow official safety guidance.
Israel’s military, the Israel Defense Forces, said it had detected Iranian missile launches toward Israeli territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran as an existential threat and praised cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had earlier warned Tehran to halt its military activities.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed it launched what it called a “first wave” of retaliatory strikes, warning that American and Israeli interests in the region could be targeted.
Airspace restrictions have since been imposed across parts of the Gulf as authorities monitor the rapidly evolving situation.