A huge fire ripped through a luxury Dubai hotel on Thursday near the world's tallest tower, where people were gathering to watch New Year's Eve celebrations, police said.
The Dubai government media office tweeted that a "fire has been reported in the Address Downtown hotel. Authorities are currently on-site to address the incident swiftly and safely".
Witnesses near the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, said huge flames could be seen billowing from the hotel.
Images aired on the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya news channel showed a high-rise building with fire engulfing dozens of storeys.
Dubai authorities said earlier on Thursday that they had deployed thousands of security personnel to ensure visitors and residents could enjoy the New Year's festivities safely.
The emirate had promising a "spectacular" fireworks display that was set to kick off at midnight from the Burj Khalifa before spreading to various locations across the city.
No injuries from inferno, says official
There have been no injuries from the fire that engulfed The Address Hotel in downtown Dubai, a civil defence official told the pan-Arab television channel Al Arabiya on Thursday, adding that Dubai's New Year celebrations will proceed.
"There are no injuries, thank God ... of course, it will not affect the celebration," Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, told the live broadcast.