Dubai fireworks show near huge hotel blaze astonishes internet

Smoke and flames were pouring from The Address Hotel in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, but it was decided the show must go on, and New Year's Eve fireworks soared from the city's downtown core.

Whether it was a sign of resilience or insensitivity, the show went off on schedule

CBC News Posted: Dec 31, 2015 5:11 PM EST | Last Updated: January 1, 2016

Fireworks explode over Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, close to where flames and smoke were still billowing from the 63-storey Address Downtown hotel. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Smoke and flames were still pouring from The Address Hotel in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, but it was decided the show must go on, and New Year's Eve fireworks soared from the city's downtown core.

Despite the fire reaching at least 20 storeys up the side of the 63-storeyluxuryhotel, Dubai's Media Office tweeted that the New Year celebrations at the nearby Burj Khalifatower would go on.

. @DXBMediaOffice: New Year celebrations in Dubai will continue as scheduled #MyDubaiNewYear
—@DXBMediaOffice

Photos and videos were posted on Twitter of the fireworks show.

Oops #DowntownDubai #MyDubaiNewYear pic.twitter.com/5M8Jp3zEXc
—@TheSoulfulEMU

#MyDubaiNewYear ... Burj Khalifa kicks breath-taking firework show pic.twitter.com/OVe4TtcdfG
—@DXBMediaOffice

Many online expressed exasperation and confusion at thedecision to continue the year-end celebration.

Strange that #Dubai went ahead with fireworks while a 63-story hotel was engulfed in flames nearby. Happy New Year? pic.twitter.com/7WeHxa3ee5
—@rodell19

Wow I can't believe they went on with rhe fireworks with the fire blazing next door #Dubai pic.twitter.com/jCuLTVu80s
—@jiwon_bang

Perplexed that 63-floor Dubai high rise is engulfed in flames w/explosions, yet nearby "world's biggest fireworks" still on. #priorities
—@ToniRuberto

Officials saidthat one person had a heart attack and more than 14 have been injured during the hotel's evacuation, though the Reuters news agency was told by a medic on the scene that more than 60 people have minor injuries.

Somesaidthe celebration was an insult to the people suffering from the tragedy.

Total lack of #EmotionalIntelligence from #Dubai Authorities going ahead with fireworks when 63-storey building on fire. #OstrichHeadsSand
—@Cerulean_Man

There's something legitimately disturbing about people cheering for those fireworks in Dubai when there's a raging inferno down the road
—@IWearAKilt

No, Dubai. It is insensitive and superficial to launch fireworks whilst a huge fire burns in the same city. I don't care what day it is.
—@horizons80

That didn't stop othersfrom appreciating the display as fireworks erupted from around the Burj Khalifa, theworld's tallest building.

Amazing #MyDubaiNewYear pic.twitter.com/pJMT7Sb9eV
—@Hxni_I

Seems like the show must go on in #Dubai! What a spectacular display of fireworks at the #BurjKhalifa. #NYE2016
—@EditorSMB

Dubai fireworks pic.twitter.com/RZClMCz657
—@Curate_Angola

Some saw the fireworks as a sign of the city's resilience.

Dubai is a resilient city. We pick up quickly and move on. #MyDubaiNewYear #BeThere #downtowndubai https://t.co/6iWQrBm59d
—@ShujaRabbani

The contrast between the celebration and the hotel's calamity led a man to reflect on the nature of the city itself.

Dubai proves it's a stage show that must go on. Make belief fireworks scream on while a real fire mocks the fantasy on foundations of sand.
—@salmanAraja

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