A Day of Despair and Hope: The Rescue of Maya in Dubai Marina
Ali Roozitalab was prepared for a typical evening as he took his beloved golden retriever, Maya, for a walk. Having acquired her in 2021, he fondly refers to Maya as “the most precious thing in my life.” With her warm demeanor and affinity for people—especially his students at Dubai Athletics Cheer—Maya brought immense joy into Ali’s life. Little did he know that a routine grocery trip would escalate into a heart-wrenching ordeal.
A Calm Before the Storm
After leaving Maya at home, Ali set out to purchase groceries. However, an hour later, his world turned upside down when he returned to find his high-rise building, Marina Pinnacle tower in Dubai Marina, engulfed in flames. The sight of his home ablaze unleashed a wave of panic and despair.
“When I came back, all the roads were closed, and I saw the building on fire. I ran to the police officers and asked if I could go in to save my dog,” he recounted. Unfortunately, the firefighters were in the midst of evacuating residents, and access to the building was strictly prohibited.
Waiting and Watching
For the rest of the night, Ali stood anxiously outside the building along with other residents, awaiting news about when they could safely return to their units. Thankfully, all 3,820 residents were evacuated without injury. Yet for Ali, the worry lingered as he glanced at the pet camera from his apartment. “I could see Maya was alive but very scared,” he shared. The camera provided a sliver of hope, but its connection faltered, leaving Ali unaware of Maya’s plight.
Desperation Breeds Action
Heartbroken and desperate to rescue Maya, Ali took to social media, posting an urgent plea for help to Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defence. Shortly thereafter, he received a call from Officer Ahmed Almurr Saeed, who had seen his post. Despite having completed his shift, Officer Saeed returned to assist in the rescue. “He was trying his best to find some way to go into the building,” Ali noted, expressing gratitude for the officer’s dedication.
As the night wore on, firefighters worked valiantly to contain the blaze and search for trapped residents. Among the crew was Mohammad, a dedicated firefighter who, despite the overwhelming smoke, continued to pursue every possible avenue to enter the building.
A Community Responds
Meanwhile, friends of Ali from various Golden Retriever groups heard about Maya’s predicament and jumped into action. They formed a dedicated WhatsApp group, tirelessly coordinating efforts to adopt a systematic approach to tracking pets trapped in the building. The energy within the group was geared towards hope; a list was created with the details of all the pets, including their appearance and apartment numbers.
Captain Yaqoub Abdullah from Dubai Search and Rescue led a team that scoured the apartments, facing the daunting challenge of rescuing pets from a flaming structure. “He saved a lot of lives. He worked hard and rescued many cats and dogs,” Ali asserted.
The Moment of Truth
After nearly a day of anxious waiting, news finally arrived that Maya had been rescued. At around 10:30 PM the next day, Ali received a message from Captain Abdullah: “She’s alive, but hurt.” The sheer relief washed over him, yet the heartbreak remained knowing Maya had been through so much.
Maya, covered in soot, descended 41 floors through smoke and chaos, eventually reuniting with Ali. The emotional reunion was partially overshadowed by the condition Maya was in after 27 unbearable hours without food or water.
Veterinary Care and Recovery
Friends quickly contacted local veterinary clinics, leading them to Dr. Gelah Magtuba at Dreamers Veterinary Clinic. With an oxygen machine and essential medical equipment, Dr. Magtuba assessed Maya’s condition, noting the damage from smoke inhalation. Her lungs were filled with smoke from the ordeal of being trapped and the descent from the high-rise.
For two days, Maya received necessary treatment and monitoring. Thankfully, her condition stabilized, and she began responding positively to care. Dr. Magtuba commented on the little dog’s resilience: “She’s eating, drinking, and starting to regain her energy.”
The Power of Community
Reflecting on this tumultuous experience, Ali marveled at the outpouring of support from the community, Dubai Police, and medical professionals. “It was a miracle Maya survived. I’m thankful for everyone who came together to help during this crisis,” he stated.
As Maya continues her recovery with ongoing medical support, Ali feels a profound gratitude towards those who rallied behind him and his beloved dog, affirming the incredible impact of community compassion and resilience in times of distress.
