Massive Fire Engulfs Dubai's 79-Floor Torch Residential Building (UPDATE: Fire Extinguished)

UPDATE, 8:27 p.m. ET: The fire has been extinguished, according to officials.

Fire at Dubai residential skyscraper extinguished with no injuries reported, officials say. https://t.co/llEnSyCy09 pic.twitter.com/AwUvQSqzBA

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 21, 2015

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Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A high-rise tower in Dubai's Marina district caught fire early Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

IMAGES (@daveying99): Massive fire engulfs Dubai’s Torch tower, a 79-floor residential building pic.twitter.com/fEUyRAX0YV

— TheBlazeNOW (@TheBlazeNOW) February 20, 2015

The fire broke out in the Torch tower on the northeastern end of the densely populated district, which is packed with multi-story skyscrapers. Debris from the fire cluttered nearby streets after the blaze appeared to be extinguished. High winds whipped through the area.

Police on the scene had no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.

Burning tower in front to my place!

A video posted by Marina Pons González (@marinitapns) on Feb 20, 2015 at 2:47pm PST

Police blocked off areas around the more than 70-story building, which still had power. Lights were on in many of the apartments inside. Multiple fire trucks and police vehicles were on the scene.

Longer video of the Torch tower fire in Dubai Marina - one the city's tallest. pic.twitter.com/805zke2Jcc #fire #dubai

— David Haddad (@daveying99)

February 20, 2015

Residents of at least one neighboring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of strong winds, but they were later allowed back inside.

The Marina area is home to dozens of towering apartment blocks and hotels, many of them built over the past decade. The apartments are popular with Dubai's large number of expatriate professionals.

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