Huge fire erupts at Dubai hotel ahead of New Year celebrations

A huge fire ripped through a luxury Dubai hotel today near the world's tallest tower, where people were gathering to watch New Year's Eve celebrations, police said.

The Dubai government media office tweeted that a "fire has been reported in the Address Downtown hotel. Authorities are currently on-site to address the incident swiftly and safely."

Witnesses near the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, said huge flames were seen billowing from the hotel.