A fire erupted in a 24-story residential building in north Mumbai on Sunday, claiming a woman’s life and injuring 18 people, according to officials. The fire erupted around 3 p.m. in the New Janakalyan Society at Shanti Nagar in Dahisar East. According to media reports, the fire originated in the basement due to a faulty electric wire and then traveled upward through the building’s electrical duct.
36 rescued, 1 dead and several injured
An official told PTI, “Thirty-six residents were rescued, of which 19 were rushed to different hospitals. Of the seven who were admitted to Rohit Hospital, one, a woman, died. One male from this group is critical. The condition of others is stable. Ten of the injured were taken to Northern Care Hospital, and one each to Pragati Hospital and civic-run Shatabdi Hospital.”
According to media reports, a girl with disabilities is in critical condition at Rohit Hospital, and five other patients are also receiving treatment at the same hospital. Similarly, a 4-year-old boy is in serious condition at Northern Care Hospital.
Fire doused off amid heavy smoke
The official also mentioned that by 4:30 PM, efforts to extinguish the fire from all sides were underway, and it was completely doused by 6:10 PM. Cooling operations for the building are now underway. The fire was limited to the wiring and cables in the electric duct, which ran from the ground floor to the fourth floor, as well as to two common electrical cabins in the basement.
According to media reports, heavy smoke filled the entire building, which made it difficult for firefighters to locate the source of the blaze. Around seven fire engines and additional emergency response vehicles were deployed to the scene. The investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing, according to officials. Civic officials had initially reported that the fire broke out on the seventh floor of the building.