Dubai Police arrest man after birthday road fire stunt

Dubai Police have taken legal action against a man who set fire to a public road to celebrate his birthday, after a video of the incident circulated on social media.

Officers said on Friday, the man poured a fast-burning flammable substance onto the road and ignited it in an apparent attempt to gain online attention, putting himself and other road users at risk.

The vehicle involved was impounded and the individual was summoned by police, who said he will be held responsible for all violations and any resulting damage.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said the behaviour was a clear breach of the UAE’s Federal Traffic Law and constituted a reckless act that endangered lives and property.

He warned that setting fire on public roads can obstruct traffic, confuse drivers, damage infrastructure and pose serious fire hazards to the surrounding environment.

Dubai Police said enforcement teams identified the suspect after monitoring the viral footage, analysing the video and tracing the vehicle involved.

Brigadier bin Suwaidan stressed that police will not tolerate the use of public roads for dangerous stunts or social media publicity, adding that such actions undermine road safety efforts and do not reflect the values of Emirati society.

He also urged parents to monitor their children’s online behaviour and warned young people against imitating hazardous content in pursuit of likes and views, saying digital popularity can never justify risking lives or facing legal consequences.

Dubai Police said they will continue to intensify patrols and smart monitoring systems to detect similar incidents and take firm action against those who endanger public safety.