Torch Tower Developer assists Owners Association following Torch Fire incident

Torch Tower Developer assists Owners Association following Torch Fire incident                                           

Swift progress continues for repairs.

Dubai, April 19, 2015: Select Group, the developer of The Torch in Dubai Marina has acted swiftly in coming to the aid of the Owners Association in the aftermath of the February fire. Select have appointed National Engineering Bureau, on behalf of the OA, to act as Consultants Engineers to scope, manage and progress the repairs with specialist contractors.

Commenting on their appointment Jamil Jadallah, Owner and Managing Director of NEB stated that "NEB being one of the largest Engineering Consultants in the region would normally not take on this type of work.  However, in consideration of the long standing relationship established between our company and the Authorities, as well as the importance we afford to our valued client Select Group, we have agreed to take on these works and assist the Owners and Residents leading to restoring this iconic building in the shortest possible time.  Select Group handed over the building in 2011 and although no longer involved in its management, their immediate involvement and swift action is highly commendable.  In fact, all parties involved should be commended including the Authorities, Oman Insurance and Kingfield Owners Association Management, for without them, this could have led to a much more serious incident."

All companies are working closely with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency in a unique team effort to get the external façade and 79 remaining units repaired.

Rahail Aslam, Select Group CEO said, “Accidents are an unfortunate part of life and will carry on occurring despite every possible care, however how you respond to an incident like this is what differentiates one company from another. I cannot commend enough the role of Kingfield Owners Association for their very swift and responsible management of the incident.”

The Torch’s eight lifts within the 682 development were functioning as normal within days of the incident, while a full and complete assessment of fire-fighting systems has already been concluded.

Leisure amenities such as pool facilities were secured at the nearby Media One Hotel, with access free of charge to all affected Torch residents. In addition, tenants were able to take advantage of heavily discounted storage facilities courtesy of Extra Space Self Storage offered to them.

A highly skilled rope access team has made safe the exterior of the building and specialist contractors have assessed the building’s infrastructure. Whitelaw Chartered Loss Adjusters & Surveyors are currently processing claims for Oman Insurance. 

Quotes for debris removal from inside apartments have been received and are currently being processed, while suppliers are also quoting for remedial works within apartments that were not directly affected by the fire. 

All parties involved in the follow up operations are committed to ensuring that The Torch is brought back to its original state in the coming months