Towering infernos around the world: focus on fire safety

Learn about the challenges and solutions for tall buildings from industry experts at the latest International Tall Buildings Fire Safety Conference in London on 8-10 July 2015

There are more than 6400 buildings higher than 100 metres in cities around the globe, and 263 buildings higher than 20 storeys currently being planned for London, mainly residential towers [see Londons Tall Towers details below]. All of them at risk from fire, greater knowledge of tall buildings is essential.

You can learn about the challenges and solutions for tall buildings from industry experts at the latest International Tall Buildings Fire Safety Conference in London on 8-10 July 2015. Booking is now open and here is a link for more details.

8 major tall building fires around the world

Below we have images and details from 8 recent major fires around the world that demonstrate critical safety concerns, as highlighted by the Tall Buildings Safety Network.

Fire sweeps through one of Europes tallest residential buildings

www.huffingtonpost.ca

Grozny, Chechnya, Olympus Tower Fire – 3 Apr 2013

A fire swept through the tallest building in the Russian Republic of Chechnya, the Olympus Tower in Chechnyas capital of Grozny. The 42-storey tower, which stands at 152 metres, is also one of Europes tallest residential buildings and houses over 400 luxury apartments. Nobody was hurt and the fire, which was also fanned by strong winds, had burned through the buildings external insulation.

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Towering inferno fears for Gulfs high-rise blocks

www.bbc.co.uk

Tall building fire safety concerns in Middle East – 2 May 2013

Fears of a towering inferno disaster in the Gulf are growing after fires left residential buildings heavily damaged in the United Arab Emirates cities of Sharjah and Dubai. There were no casualties in the Tamweel Tower blaze in Dubai, but the building was gutted. One expert in the UAE has estimated that 70% of the high-rise buildings there have panel facade cladding made of a combustible thermoplastic core held between two sheets of aluminium.

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Death plunge as fire erupts at LDA plaza in Lahore

Tribune

Lahore, India, High Rise Fire – 9 May 2013

Fire erupted at the LDA plaza in Lahore, killing eight people plus several others were trapped inside the building. The fire started on the 7th and 8th floor of the building and rapidly engulfed three more floors. The building caught fire due to short-circuiting 8 employees jumped to their death from the top floors as fire-fighters battled the blaze for 15 hours.

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Towering inferno in Istanbul – 42 storeys engulfed by blaze

www.dailymail.co.uk

Istanbul, Turkey, Polat Tower Fire, 17 Jul 2013
A large fire engulfed a skyscraper in the centre of Istanbul. The 42-storey Polat Tower, which contains flats as well as shops and businesses, caught fire but incredibly no one was hurt in the blaze as hundreds were safely evacuated from the building. The blaze, which was believed to have been caused by a faulty air conditioning unit, was safely extinguished by firefighters who had spent hours battling the flames.

Blaze rips though LA 25-floor apartment building

www.nbclosangeles.com

Los Angeles, USA, Tall Building Fire, 18 Oct 2013

A blaze ripped through a two-bedroom apartment on the 11th floor of a 25-floor apartment building on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Several people were injured and people were unable to return home to the damaged units. A small girl and her grandfather, were found lost on the 18th floor and brought to the roof for treatment before being transported to a hospital via helicopter.

Major fire at the 26-storey building in Mumbai, India

www.ndtv.com

Mumbai, India, Tall Building Fire, 13 Dec 2013

A major fire broke out at the 26-storey Mont Blanc building in South Mumbais Kemps Corner area. At least seven people dead. Four of the seven bodies are charred beyond recognition, fire officials say. It took fire engines three hours to douse the blaze. Five people were rescued from the 12th floor where the fire started. The floor was completely gutted in the blaze.

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Fire burns through 25-storey skyscraper in China

rt.com

Guangzhou, China, Tall Building Fire 15 Dec 2013

A fire broke out in a skyscraper in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Sunday. A total of 58 fire engines and 350 firefighters were involved in fighting the blaze. According to local media, the fire was put out on Monday morning after it burned through the unfinished 25-storey Jianye Mansion, which was used as a storehouse for shoes and wooden boards. No casualties have been reported thus far.

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Video showing rapid spread of fire in tall building with balconies

www.dailymotion.com

High Rise Residential fire, Nord Pas-de-Calais, France – 15 May 2012

Londons Tall Towers

Tallest buildings and structures in London

263 new tower blocks set to transform the capitals skyline

• most will provide luxury flats for young professionals and the super-rich