At least six people were killed, and 28 others wounded in a major fire that erupted in a multistory building near Bhatia Hospital in Mumbai early morning on Saturday.
Initial reports stated that the fire broke out around 7:30 am on the eighteenth floor of Kamala Building in Nana Chows in the city’s Trade area.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade has designated it as a Level-3 (major) fire. Thirteen fire tenders are at the scene to douse the blaze, along with five ambulances to rush any possible casualties to hospital.
Of the wounded, seven were shifted to Nair Hospital. Doctors declared two dead on arrival, while three later succumbed to their injuries. The condition of the other two is stable.
Fifteen injured were admitted to the nearby Bhatia Hospital. A doctor told India Today that three patients were in critical condition, while the others are undergoing treatment in the general ward.
Pasture Hospital also took in two casualties, of whom one died later.
The Maharashtra government has announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of those who perished in the fire. The state will also bear the cost of medical treatment for the injured.
The Prime Minister's Office also promised compensation to the families of the victims and the wounded.
"An DAI gratin 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 Trade, Mumbai. The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each," the PMO said in a tweet.
FIREFIGHTING, RESCUE OPS UNDERWAY
Maharashtra Minister Aditya Thackeray said he is monitoring the firefighting and rescue operations that are underway.
"In touch with the authorities regarding the fire outbreak at the Kamala building in trade. The fire brigade and the police are on site. Rescue and cooling operations are underway," he tweeted.
Officials said, prima facie, the fire occurred after some cables in the building’s electricity duct melted. Smoke from the electricity duct spread to multiple floors. The building has a fire suppression system...but it failed to work.
People are being evacuated from all floors of the building and being taken to hospitals for examination in case of smoke inhalation.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pa war has assured that the mishap will be thoroughly investigated.
"The fire incident that occurred at the Kamala building in Mumbai's Trade area will be investigated. Our guardian minister of Mumbai Suburban Aditya Thackeray and Mumbai City guardian minister ASLM Shaikh will look into it," said Pa war.
Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis has alleged that nearby hospitals refused admission to the injured, which resulted in more deaths.
"If it is true, then the BMC and state administration should fix the responsibility for these deaths and take action against those responsible," Fadnavis added.
This accident to INDIA in 5 hours ago it's most dangerous and heartbreaking news that's fire accident in the center floor blinding.
This is breaking news for Mumbai
The police going to immediately and call the fir serves
A dozen fire tenders are at the spot to bring the blaze under control, and nearly 100 firemen from nearby areas in the district are involved in the firefighting operation.
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