Mumbai: In a tragic development, a fire, identified as Level 3 broke out on the 18th floor of a 20-storey Mumbai high rise in Tardeo area killing seven persons and injuring 27 on Saturday morning. The Mumbai highrise building, Kamla, is located opposite Gandhi Hospital at Gowalia Tank in Mumbai. The tragedy occurred at 7: 30 am. The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals.
Sources at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said that 13 fire engines were present at the spot in front of the Mumbai high rise while five ambulances had also been deployed.
The sources further added that, “The blaze erupted when many residents were still asleep. On being alerted, the fire brigade personnel and police rushed to the spot.”
Residents of Mumbai highrise affected
Mayor Kishori Pednekar added, “Six old-age people needed oxygen support system and have been shifted to the hospital. Fire flame is under control but smoke is huge. All people have been rescued.” Maharashtra BJP president and MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha called the fire at the Mumbai highrise incident unfortunate.
BMC officials also said, “Soon after the fire broke out on the 18th floor, residents started running out with their family members. There are at least six flats on each floor. The blaze engulfed the 18th and 19th floors and some residents were trapped there.” They added some residents said power supply in the Mumbai highrise went off after the fire. They also added that firefighting operation was still on to save residents from the affected Mumbai highrise.
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Talking about the those lost their lives, BMC officials said of the seven injured taken to the Nair Hospital, five died. Two others succumbed to their injuries at two other hospitals at Bhatia Hospital and Kasturba Hospital. At present, 13 persons were being treated in Bhatia Hospital, two in Nair Hospital and one in Kasturba Hospital.
Dr Tina from Bhatia hospital said that of the 15 injured, 12 were admitted in general ward condition while three, who were critical were in the ICU.
Cause of tragedy under probe
A fire official said that the cause of the fire that occurred at the Mumbai highrise was still being investigated. “The fire broke out in house number 1904, and the smoke spread to the entire building. A fire system was in place but it was not working. So we had to carry hose from downstairs. Electrical ducts and electrical cables had completely melted,” he added.
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It may be recalled that a similar fire (Level 3) broke out at one of the scrap godowns in Mumbai’s Mankhurd near Kurla two months ago, affecting at least 15 godowns. The blaze was extinguished after over five hours of fire fighting. The fire brigade pressed 13 fire engines and 12 water tankers to the spot, according to information from the Mumbai Fire brigade. This was a major fire before the tragedy that occurred at the Mumbai high rise today morning.
Assistant Commissioner of the M/East ward, Mahendra Ubale, who was at the site of the fire said, “Approximately 15 structures (all godowns) have been affected by the fire. The land is owned by the collector and leased to those who are operating the godown. Cooling operations have been going. The cause of the fire has not been determined yet. It will be established by the fire brigade through their enquires later.”