Sunday, Oct 24, 2010
Gulf News
decision to demolish or renovate will depend on the findings
Al Kuwait Tower Feature
Sharjah The fate of Al Kuwait Tower is still uncertain as authorities are carrying out tests on the building to determine whether it should be demolished or not.
The residential tower, which was constructed in Bu Tina area along Al Sharq Street nearly 28 years ago, succumbed to a massive fire on July 6, 2010, which completely gutted 10 floors.
“This building was once very popular because it was the tallest building in the neighbourhood. Although only one side has got affected by the fire, the municipality has closed it down to make sure that the rest of the tenants are safe,” said Sanal Kumar, Receptionist-In-Charge.
As Kumar takes a tour around the premises, he points out that all 72 flats have been vacated and that the majority of tenants have found a new apartment to live in already, while some of them are temporarily living with family members in the neighbouring emirates.
During the investigation, the Forensic Laboratory at Sharjah Police discovered that the fire was allegedly caused by a lit cigarette that was thrown off the balcony, in flat number 405. The fire then swept up to the 14th floor and luckily did not result in any major casualties or deaths.
Al Kuwait Tower now remains abandoned and not even the watchman has taken an interest in either sweeping up the floor as empty bottles, soda cans and paper piles up in front of the doorstep.
The police tape still surrounds the premises and while the municipality is carrying out its own tests, nobody is allowed to enter the 14-storey building.
“We have already set up a technical committee that has taken samples from different parts of the burnt building, such as from the floors and the concrete slabs of the walls. The results will be ready this week and then we can make the decision whether it should be demolished or renovated,” said Engineer Abdul Aziz Al Mansouri, Assistant Director of Sharjah Municipality for technical affairs.
It is not only the tenants that have been forced to relocate but also the five shops that had set up their business on the ground floor of the building, which included a restaurant and a barber shop.
As you walk past the shops, notices have been set up or that they are relocating soon to another area. The nearby shopkeepers have fared no better as they are also bearing the brunt of having Al Kuwait Tower partially burned down.
“Two hundred of my customers used to come from that building and now I am losing out on nearly Dh2,000 per month. There was another barber shop next to mine, but they were worried about the bad location and closed down their shop,” said Mohammad Majid, owner of a nearby barbershop.
“I still find it difficult to make my monthly rent but I have no other option but keep my shop open because all my savings have been invested in this,” he explained.
M. Ashraf, who owns Al Ruwayshid Grocery right opposite Al Kuwait Tower, has been the worst-hit.
“I am also eagerly awaiting the outcome of the municipality’s decision because my life depends on it. My sponsor is upset because we are not making any profit and wants to close it down, but if that happens then what will happen to me,” said Ashraf.
Gulf news Archive/Ahmed Ramzan
Safety gets priority
Al Kuwait Tower in Sharjah, which was constructed 28 years ago, was damaged by a massive fire on July 6.
By Mariam M. Al Serkal?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.
