Dubai: Firefighters have extinguished a blaze that swept through one of the world's tallest residential buildings in Dubai in the early hours of Friday, forcing occupants to flee their homes as burning debris showered down the sides of the tower.

Dubai's civil defence authorities said firefighting squads put out the blaze by about 4am (9am AEST) and were cooling the 352-metre tall Torch Tower.

The tower, in the city's upscale Marina district, was evacuated and no injuries were reported, authorities said, even though flames shot up the sides of the building. The 676-apartment tower has 86 floors above ground including a four-storey podium.

Firefighters and police sealed off surrounding streets, which were partially covered by dust and debris.