Hundreds of people in Dubai were evacuated from one of the world's tallest residential buildings on Saturday when fire swept through The Torch, a 79-storey skyscraper, residents said.

Dubai's police chief, General Khamis Mattar, said the fire appeared to be the result of an accident and did not suspect it was caused by any deliberate criminal act, in comments carried by state news agency WAM.

He added that an investigation had started to determine the cause of the blaze, WAM reported.

A witness said flames shot out from two sides of the building as glass and metal rained down from near the summit of the structure, which stands more than 1,082 feet tall.

Mattar said four people had suffered minor injuries. At least a dozen fire trucks extinguished the blaze several hours after the fire alarm went off around 2 am. (2200 GMT Friday).

Residents said the fire had been fanned by high winds, dislodging chunks of metal and glass onto the area below, including a nearby road more than 100 metres away.

However, some residents said they had been told by staff that the building's fire alarms did not immediately sound and that the reception at The Torch was alerted to the fire by staff in an adjacent building.

"They (the Torch receptionists) got a call from Princess Tower telling them the building was on fire. The alarms were not operating automatically," Archibald Jurdi, who lives on the 76th floor, told Reuters.

Traffic in the area was diverted and residents of two other nearby buildings in the emirate's Marina district, home to thousands of expatriate professionals, were also evacuated, the witness said.

Many of those standing outside the building were dressed in pyjamas, with others in evening dress as they returned from the city's many bars and restaurants on a weekend.

One woman, who did not give her name, stood on the street crying, saying she had rushed back fearing for her belongings after a friend contacted her about the fire. The lower floors where she lived were not affected.

Meanwhile, the project developer Select Group commended Dubai Authorities and Kingfield Owners Association for their incredibly swift response in helping to bring the situation under control.

Over a thousand people were safely evacuated from the building while a strong sandstorm raged outside, said the Select Group in a statement.

Although the incredibly strong winds fanned the fire, however the building’s fire safety systems and evacuation protocols worked as planned and the fire was swiftly brought under control, it added.

Traffic in the area was diverted and residents of two other nearby buildings in the emirate's Marina district, home to thousands of expatriate professionals, were also evacuated, the witness said.

Select Group said its representatives were present on site since news of the incident broke out in the early hours of the morning.

The first concern was providing any support required to Kingfield OA and the authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and their families, it stated in the press release.

Kingfield OA said it has arranged for temporary shelter and provisions for residents in the adjacent Princess Tower.

The main focus at this time is to ensure that all residents are safe and looked after while we also assist in arrangements for alternative accommodation for those whose apartments have been affected, said the company in its press release.

Dubai civil defence officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the cause of the fire remained unclear. - Reuters and TradeArabia News Service