A fire broke out near Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall on Tuesday, sending plumes of black smoke across the emirate's corniche.

The fire is believed to have begun just before 12pm after a boat battery caught fire. Witnesses said firefighters from Abu Dhabi Civil Defence were quick to respond "by road and sea" and were still tackling the blaze as of 2.30pm, when The National visited the site.The boat was docked in the marina by the breakwater and the top half had been destroyed by the fire.

Two captains were on board at the time but were able to escape unharmed.

A formal investigation into the cause of the fire will begin once the blaze is extinguished.

SOURCE : NATIONAL AE