Building evacuated after fire breaks out in Abu Dhabi's Raha Beach

The blaze, believed to have started in a barbeque area, was quickly extinguished by fire fighters

A blaze, which is believed to have started in a barbeque area above Al Bandar Clubhouse, was quickly dealt with by firefighters. The National    
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A building in Abu Dhabi's Al Raha Beach was evacuated after a blaze broke out on Monday morning.

Thick black smoke could be seen billowing across the sky at around 8.30am following the fire, believed to have started in a barbeque area above the Al Bandar Clubhouse on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

It was swiftly contained and extinguished after firefighters arrived, leaving the shell of a burnt out structure, thought to be a tent.

A cleaner working in the area, who did not want to be named, said the fire had started in a barbeque area. It is not known if anyone was injured as a result of the incident.

Security staff guarding the site said people would be allowed to re-enter once a risk assessment was carried out.

The building houses both a community gym serving residents of the luxury housing development, Moni’s Café, and the Juli Music Institute, a music school.

Members of the Abu Dhabi Q&A Facebook page posted pictures about the fire, with some speculating on where it started.

“Thank you for the post, I will get back home and check everything is okay,” wrote one member.

Abu Dhabi Police and Aldar, which owns the building, have been contacted for comment.