DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Fire broke out Thursday in a residential building near the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai, where a massive New Year’s fireworks display was set to be held.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, which ran up at least 20 stories of the building near the Burj Khalifa, which is 828 meters (905 yards) tall.

Burning debris rained down from the building as firetrucks raced to the scene. It was not immediately clear if anyone was wounded in the blaze.

The fire broke out about two hours before midnight, when the fireworks display was set to begin. Tens of thousands of people had gathered in the area ahead of the extravaganza.