As many as six people have been reported dead so far and at least 15 were left injured after a fire broke out at a 20-storey residential building in Mumbai's Tardeo on Saturday, 22 January.
The blaze is said to have started on the 18th floor of Kamala building, opposite Gandhi Hospital at Gowalia Tank. The fire was reported at 7:28 am, and was extinguished by 12:20 pm.
As per news agency ANI, 13 fire engines and seven water jetties were rushed to the spot. Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said that "all people were rescued," adding that six elderly people were shifted to the hospital as they needed oxygen support.
Fire officials confirmed a Level 3 fire, which they said was declared at 7:42 am. Mayor Pednekar said that initial impressions suggest the fire could have been caused because of a short circuit, The Indian Express reported.
"The fire incident that occurred at the Kamala building in Mumbai's Tardeo area will be investigated. Our guardian minister of Mumbai Suburban Aaditya Thackeray and Mumbai City guardian minister Aslam Shaikh will look into it," Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was quoted as saying by ANI.
Photographs from the incident show charred exteriors on the floor where the fire started.
Maha Govt, PM Modi Announce Compensation for Kin of 6 Deceased
The Maharashtra government will give Rs 5 lakh compensation to families of those citizens who lost their lives in the fire, state minister Aaditya Thackeray announced.
"I visited the Kamala Building fire site in Tardeo to get an on-ground update regarding the recovery operations underway. Also spoke to the residents and assured them complete assistance in this tragic hour," he stated.
"Saddened by the building fire at Tardeo in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families and prayers with the injured for the speedy recovery," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the building fire in Tardeo, Mumbai. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each," the prime minister's office said in a tweet.
Five people died due to their injuries at Nair Hospital, while one death was reported at Kasturba Hospital. Several others who are injured are receiving treatment.
Earlier, it was reported that a total of 7 persons had died, due to miscounting by the authorities.
Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray said he was in touch with the authorities regarding the incident.
"In touch with the authorities regarding the fire outbreak at the Kamala building in Tardeo. The fire brigade and the police are on site. Rescue and cooling operations are underway," Thackeray had tweeted in the morning.
Condoling the deaths, Maharashtra BJP president Mangal Prabhat Lodha termed the incident as "unfortunate."
(With inputs from ANI)
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