An Emirati firefighter has been acquitted of charges of mocking the efforts of fire crew on site to control the blaze in the Address Downtown on New Year’s Eve after Dubai Court of Appeal upheld a previous not guilty verdict.
The 34-year-old said he was nearby at the time and offered to help. He entered the building with permission from the chief fire commander, 7days reported.
“I contacted the head of the firefighting team and volunteered to help put out the fire. I made the video but I did not circulate it. I only sent it to a group of my friends,” he said.
The video, which went viral on WhatsApp, showed the defendant had no oxygen mask or boots, and was putting his life at risk.
He claimed that a uniform and a pair of shoes were handed to him, but he did not wear the shoes as they were too big.
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