The fire, declared level three, broke out on the 14th floor of Sargam Society in Chembur. Prima facie fire brigade officials are suspecting short circuit as the cause of the fire.
At least five people died after a fire broke out in a 16-storey residential building in suburban Mumbai’s Tilak Nagar area Thursday evening. Two others, including a fireman, were also injured in the fire that started at the 14th floor of Sargam Society (G+16) at building number 35, B Wing, in Chembur, near Ganesh Garden, at 7.50 pm Thursday. The fire has been doused, and cooling down operation is underway.
According to the disaster management cell, the fire was reported on the 10th floor of the 16-storey building and later spread to other floors. Prima facie fire brigade officials are suspecting short circuit as the cause of the fire. Officials said initially, the fire was minor but later it escalated to a Level 3 (major) fire as it spread.
The fire brigade sent six fire engines and six water tankers to the spot. Local corporator Shusham Sawant said, “The fire fighting system of the building was not working properly. Also, double parking (by residents) on the road delayed fire brigade vehicles from reaching the spot.”
Four people were earlier admitted to the nearby Rajawadi Hospital, where three, including two women, were declared brought dead by the hospital authorities. The deceased were identified as Sunita Joshi, Bhalchandra Joshi, both 72, and Suman Shrinivas Joshi, 83.
A search and rescue operation by the Mumbai Fire Brigade is underway, said the official from the Disaster Management Unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
