How I survived Dubai fire by hanging from balcony – Photographer

A photographer was one of those trapped in Address Downtown, one of the most upscale hotels and residences in Dubai, on Thursday.

The 63-storey building offers a decent view of the New Year’s Eve fireworks display that was to commence later, and the photographer, who refused to be named, wanted to take advantage.

Not long after he he had gotten to the balcony on the 48th floor, the fire started.

Afraid that he would die from suffocation, and unable to see how he could escape, the photographer decided there was only one thing for him: to tie a rope from himself to a window-cleaning platform and hang off the balcony, AFP reports.

READ Happening Now! Fire guts Dubai hotel ahead of New Year celebrations

“I wasn’t sure what was happening downstairs. I was afraid I might collapse from the smoke,” he said.

As he hung from a rope 48 stories from the ground, he began to call and text for help.

“I was telling them I hoped to survive and see my wife,” he said.

He was rescued more than half an hour later but he had already been jolted.

“I’m excited because it’s New Year, and filled with an adrenaline rush,” he said, still shaken.

At least 14 people were slightly injured, one person suffered a heart attack from the smoke, a statement from the Dubai Media Office says.

However, the fire didn’t prevent the fireworks display from erupting as usual to usher in the new year..