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.

Medics said there were no casualties. At least a dozen fire engines were able to extinguish the blaze several hours after the fire alarm went off around 2 am local time.

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," The Hindu reported quoting Archibald Jurdi, who lives on the 76th floor, said.

Residents said the fire had been fanned by high winds, dislodging chunks of metal and raining glass down on the area below the building, including onto a nearby road more than 330 feet away.

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

Residents of neighbouring towers were returning to their homes around 0430 local time, but residents of The Torch were told they would not be allowed back into the building until the fire officials gave approval later on Saturday. Residents of upper floors that were most affected were told it would be days before they could return.

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