6 dead, 23 injured in Mumbai building fire
MUMBAI: Six people were killed and at least 23 injured in a major fire that broke out on the 19th floor of a residential building in south Mumbai on Saturday, administration and fire brigade officials said, adding the firefighting operations are still underway.
According to the officials, the fire broke out around 7.28am at the 20-storey Kamla Building located at Nana Chowk near
Gowalia tank. The cause of the fire was yet to ascertained. Of the total injured, who were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, seven were discharged.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh would be provided to the family members of each deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), and added that the injured would be given ₹50,000 each. “Saddened by the building fire at Tardeo in Mumbai. Condolences
to the bereaved families and prayers with the injured for the speedy recovery.”
Maharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray, who visited the site, said the government will provide a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the family members of each of the deceased. He said prima facie, the blaze was caused by a shortcircuit, according to news agency PTI.
“Information regarding the cause of death is awaited. While apartment number 1904 is completely charred, this had intense heat and flames, other apartments that have been affected have not seen as much damage in comparison. As firefighting is ongoing, we are yet to take complete stock of the extent of damage. Out of the six dead, only one person was in apartment 1904 as per the information we have at present,” chief fire officer Hemant Parab told HT.
The fire was declared level three around 7.42 am. After about two-and-a-half hours of firefighting, the Mumbai fire brigade managed to cover the fire
PM NARENDRA MODI ANNOUNCED AN EX GRATIA OF ₹2 LAKH TO THE KIN OF THE DECEASED; MAHA GOVT TO GIVE ₹5 LAKH AID TO THE VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
from all sides by 10.05am.
The fire brigade deployed 13 fire engines, seven jumbo tankers, a breathing apparatus van, and five ambulances at the spot. Sixteen senior fire brigade officials, including a deputy chief fire officer, a deputy fire officer, two assistant deputy fire officers, and 12 station officers are part of the firefighting operations.
State environment minister and Mumbai suburbs guardian Aaditya Thackeray took to social media and said, “In touch with the authorities regarding the fire outbreak at the Kamala building in Tardeo. The fire brigade and polise are on site. Rescue and cooling operations are underway. Meanwhile, some residents of the building alleged that three nearby private hospitals refused to admit the injured persons and demanded deposit money and their negative Covid-19 certificates.
Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, said, “I am shocked and anguished to know nearby hospitals refused admissions to the injured persons, which resulted into more deaths. If it is true then, BMC and State administration should fix the responsibility for these deaths and take action against those who are responsible for the deaths.”
With agency inputs