Mumbai: 7 killed, 28 injured in fire at high-rise residential building

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, June 8, 2015: Seven persons died and 28 were injured in a major fire at a 21-storey plush residential building in Mumbai’s Powai on Saturday.

The fire that broke out on the 14th floor of the Chandivali Lake Home society gutted three flats. Five of the dead were found in a lift where they apparently died of suffocation. Out of the 28 injured,  two were admitted to the ICU in the Hiranandani hospital while another two were shifted to the National Burns Center in Airoli.

 

Chief fire officer (in charge) PS Rahangdale said, “We rescued five persons of the same family from one of the gutted flats and over 20 persons from the building were rescued safely. However the five dead in the incident were found unconscious in a lift.”

The incident comes only a month after a major fire broke out in a building in Kalbadevi where four senior officers of Mumbai fire brigade department, including the chief fire officer, died.

The Powai fire broke out at 6pm on the 14th floor and spread to the 15th floor. It was brought under control around 8.30pm after nine fire engines and six water tankers were rushed to the spot along with firefighters with snorkels, breathing apparatus vans, and ambulances.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained but a fire brigade official said, “The fire is likely to have started either due to short circuit in the AC duct or due to gas pipeline leakage. An investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause of fire.”

He added the entire building was immediately vacated and at least 25 residents were rescued. “Many persons were stranded on the upper floors who were later rescued after the blaze was brought under control.”

One flat has been completely damaged in the incident while two others are partially affected.

In another incident on Saturday, a fire broke out in the Rahul Nagar slum near Reclamation area, injuring three persons and damaging 10-12 shanties. The injured are being treated at Bhabha hospital.

Five fire engines and four water tankers were sent to Bandra slum to douse the fire.

 

Courtesy: The Hindu