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Twelve days after the fire at Tiger Tower, also known as Marina Pinnacle, hundreds of residents are still facing difficulties retrieving their belongings. Nearly every day since the incident on June 13, people have lined up outside the building, hoping to be allowed inside. However, the process has been slow and frustrating.

Even now, on the 12th day, the situation remains challenging. Long queues that snake around the building, people cutting in line, and the intense heat are among the main issues causing distress.

'Waiting for hours'

SP, a 30-year-old HR manager, shared that she and her husband have been visiting almost daily. On Wednesday, they arrived at 7am, and were still waiting to be let in almost five hours later.

Initially, authorities used a different system, where residents had to register and wait for their flat number to be called. However, many complained that the numbers were being called at random, with no clear order or reasoning.

Now, it appears the system has shifted to a first-come, first-served basis —though even that approach has brought its own problems.

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SP expressed frustration over the lack of organisation in managing the queues, calling the experience exhausting and chaotic. "We've been here since 7am but those who cut the lines are already inside. The security didn’t really care for the queue.”

Photo: KT reader

Meanwhile, ML, a 50-year-old Egyptian expat, has also been queuing regularly — but not for her own belongings. As the owner of three apartments in the building, she’s been coming back day after day to collect her tenants’ things.

“They’re already overwhelmed and without a home,” she said. “The least I can do is help them get their stuff.”

For some residents, the frustration isn't just about waiting in line, it's also about not knowing when, or if, they will even get a chance to go inside.

“I have been coming here every single day just to get a glimpse of my flat,” said Ramesh, an Indian expat who lives on the 26th floor. “I know the fire didn’t reach my apartment, but I want to see it with my own eyes. I just want to check if my things are okay, even from outside the door.”

He explained that earlier, there was a token system where residents had to wait for their flat numbers to be called. “That was confusing. Today, they told us it’s now on a first-come, first-served basis. So we came early, but still, there’s no guarantee we’ll get in.”

Queue system 'confusing'

Another resident, Amira, a Lebanese, said she hasn't been allowed inside even once, not even for a minute. “I know people who have paid visit to their flats for more than 10 times,” she said. “I haven’t had the chance even once.”

She feels the system has been unfair. “Some are going every day because they know the watchman or have connections. What about the rest of us? We are all waiting in the same heat. We all lost access to our homes. We deserve the same chance.”

Then there are those who just want a bit of clarity and peace of mind.

Vara, a Georgian expat, was inside her apartment when the fire broke out. She managed to evacuate safely, leaving behind her belongings — including essential work items. Just days later, she had to travel to her home country for a scheduled work trip, where she was responsible for guiding a group of UAE tourists.

“I was in the building during the fire and had to leave a few days later for the tour,” she said. “Everything I needed for my trip — my laptop, files, souvenirs, was left behind. I had to borrow a laptop and reprint documents just to make it happen. It wasn’t easy, but I didn’t want to let anyone down.”

After completing the trip successfully, Vara returned to Dubai and began trying to access her apartment. “But I still haven’t been able to go in. I need to get back to work properly, and all my personal and office items are still inside. I just want to collect what I can and start putting things back together.”

Security clarifies delay

Ali, a 29-year-old security supervisor from Pakistan who has been working in the building for two years, explained the reason behind the checks.

"The process is not slow," he said. "We are just making sure that everyone in the queue is actually going into their own apartments."

According to him, the security team verifies residents' documents to ensure that unauthorised individuals aren’t gaining access.

"This is also done to avoid theft," he added.

Ali, a security supervisor at Tiger tower. Photo: Supplied

Ali mentioned that the number of people passing through the queue is significant. "On average, around 400 people queue every day," he said, noting that the queue closes daily at 4pm.

Since the fire, Ali has taken on even more responsibility. "I’ve been working overtime and I’m on call 24/7, just in case something happens and I need to deal with it," he said. "As a supervisor, it’s my job to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely."

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