At least 10 foreign workers have died and eight others injured in a fire at a building in an industrial area in the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi.
The fire broke out yesterday at the first floor of the two-storey commercial building in Al Mussafah area that houses seven shops, before spreading to the warehouse on the second floor that was used as an illegal accommodation for workers.
Police did not identify the victims, but said they comprised different nationalities.
Fire fighters managed to put out the fire that gutted the whole building.
The Abu Dhabi Police said that the second floor was illegally rented out to the ten workers, who died in the fire.
An investigation has been launched into the incident.
The building's owner has been arrested and authorities are searching for other suspects, including the building's supervisor.
The UAE is home to millions of foreign workers, mostly from South Asian countries including India.
Abu Dhabi Civil Defense General Directorate had recently warned investors, workshop owners, and workers of the dangers associated with illegal housing and indicated that they would show zero tolerance to those who disregard public safety conditions.
