Dubai fire near US consulate contained
A fire near the US consulate in Dubai was contained and later fully extinguished after what was described as a drone-related incident, with no injuries reported.
Dubai’s media office posted online that authorities had confirmed the fire was successfully contained and that emergency teams responded immediately.
Dubai’s media office wrote: “Dubai authorities have confirmed that a fire resulting from a drone-related incident near the US Consulate has been successfully contained.”
Dubai’s media office later described the fire as fully extinguished and said no injuries were reported.
What was reported about the drone strike
The incident involved a drone striking a parking lot adjacent to the consulate building.
The Guardian reported that a US official and Dubai’s government media office provided details to the Wall Street Journal, describing a drone strike on the consulate parking lot, and that video footage shared on social media showed black smoke rising near the consulate.
BBC News reported that bystander video verified by the BBC showed an explosion followed by flames and smoke from a building next to the consulate.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “All personnel are accounted for. As you’re aware, we began drawing down personnel from our diplomatic facilities in advance of this.”
Related embassy updates reported in the region
The incident followed reports of drone strikes affecting other US diplomatic facilities in the region.
The Guardian reported that the US embassy in Saudi Arabia was struck by two drones on Monday, that the embassy urged Americans in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran to shelter in place, and that the US embassy in Kuwait announced it would be closed until further notice.
Rubio also described efforts to help Americans in the Middle East leave, including charter flights, military flight options and expanded commercial flight options.
The State Department efforts Rubio described were discussed after airspace closures affected some flights.