Residents of a Dubai high-rise nicknamed "The Torch" were grateful to be alive after a fire engulfed their building and no lives were lost. 

The fire occurred early Saturday morning on the 51st floor and quickly spread to the top of the 336-metre building. 

More than 1,000 people had to be evacuated from the skyscraper, with several suffering from minor smoke inhalation. 

Ahmed Al Atawi lived on the 16th floor in one of the building's 676 units with his wife and 11-month-old son. The family moved in less than a year ago, and said the fire alarm sounded nearly every week. 

"We heard the fire alarm at around 2:30 a.m. but we didn't think much of it," he admitted. "I thought it was a false alarm until I looked out from my balcony and saw a group of people standing around the building.

"The security guard knocked on the doors and asked everyone to evacuate immediately. Many people were just standing near the building as debris and metal objects came flying down."

The fire took about two hours to put out, and the fire and smoke damage was assessed. Those living below the 20th floor were allowed back in the building, but other residents weren't that lucky. 

Select units on floors 30-84 cannot return to their apartments, and were offered rooms at the Gloria Hotel in Internet City. A temporary shelter was also arranged at the Princess Tower.

At least one tenant is opting not to re-enter the Marina Torch until the entire building is deemed safe. 

"I just want to go somewhere else," the man told The National. "I was told that I can stay but I decided to take my stuff. I will come back once I know we are totally safe.

"I'm going to reorganise with my company but for now I prefer to go. Thank God we're safe."