A HUGE fire has engulfed a 48-storey residential skyscraper in the UAE.

Dozens of firefighters battled to put out the blaze in the Abbco Tower in Sharjah, one of the largest cities in the Gulf emirate.

It is not clear how the fire in tower block broke out.

Officials have not confirmed if there are any causalities.

People with minor injuries were taken to hospital, but it is unclear how many were injured.

Colonel Dr. Ali Abu Al Zoud, Deputy Director General of Central Operations of Sharjah Police said drones were used to check if there were any people trapped inside.

Col Dr Al Zoud told Gulf News: “We have contacted the building owner and alternate accommodation will be provided to all residents. It is still not clear how many apartments have been affected."

Dramatic video from social media shows debris raining down on cars in the streets below as the bright flames cascade up the building.

Residents in at least five neighbouring buildings were evacuated.

A resident from a neigjbouring bulding told Khaleej Times: "We had just finished our Taraweeh when he heard commotion outside. On checking with the security guard, we realised the building was on fire.

"The entire family came out just to be safe. Later we realised the scale of fire when we saw it first hand."

Samantha, who lives in a building nearby added: "We heard commotion and then saw fire trucks within a few minutes. We were scared and left with the whole family."

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Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 9pm local time tonight.

Officials said the fire broke out on the 10th floor.

The tower was built in 2006 and has 45 floors, including parking, out of which 36 are residential floors with 12 flats each.

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