DHAKA: A huge fire has engulfed a 63-storey hotel in central Dubai ahead of a New Year's Eve firework display.

Despite the blaze at the Address hotel, the display at the nearby Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, started as planned at midnight, reports the BBC.

Officials say the fire has been brought largely under control and 16 people suffered mostly minor injures.

It is unclear what caused the blaze, which broke out as large crowds had gathered to ring in the new year.

People were asked to leave the area around the Address Downtown Hotel, which was evacuated.

The fire broke out at about 21:30 local time (17:30 GMT) and appeared to engulf much of the building, a five-star hotel and apartment complex, within 10 minutes.

BDST:  0855 HRS, JAN 01, 2016
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