ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said he was sad to learn about the death of three Pakistani nationals among 16 people in Dubai, directing authorities to extend support to the bereaved families. 

The blaze erupted on Saturday in an apartment in Deira neighborhood that was believed to have been shared by multiple individuals, a common practice for laborers who power the economy in this city-state known more for its towering skyscrapers. But the tight quarters, often subdivided by makeshift barriers of plywood, drywall or shower curtains, can become a major risk in fires. 

A statement from Dubai Civil Defense issued by the city-state’s media office gave the death toll. Six Sudanese, four Indians, a Cameroonian, an Egyptian and a Jordanian were among the deceased, Dubai-based businessman Naseer Vatanappally told AP news agency, citing authorities. 

“I am very sad to learn about the death of three Pakistanis in a residential building fire in Dubai,” PM Sharif said on Twitter. 

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families over the tragedy. Have directed Pakistan’s Mission in the UAE to extend support to the affected families.” 

In recent years, Dubai has faced a spate of high-rise fires, fueled by flammable siding material. However, other fires at warehouses and smaller structures can strike, particularly in the summer when temperatures top 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Illegal apartment partitioning has been a problem in the city for decades, worsened when the city-state sees real estate booms and economic growth like it now is experiencing. 

Authorities have launched crackdowns in the past, but landlords persist in offering partitioned apartments as workers from Africa, Asia and the Mideast try to save every penny to send back home.