Mumbai Fire News: 6 Killed, Many Injured in Tardeo Blaze; Uddhav Govt Announces Rs 5L Ex-gratia

Six people were killed and at least 27 injured after a massive fire (Level 3) broke out on the 18th floor of 20-storey Kamla building located opposite Gandhi Hospital at Gowalia Tank in Mumbai Tardeo around 7:30 am on Saturday. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said that 13 fire engines were rushed to the spot. The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals.

A fire official said that the cause of the fire is still being investigated. ?The fire broke out in house number 1904, and the smoke spread to the entire building. A fire system was in place but it was not working. So we had to carry hose from downstairs. Electrical ducts and electrical cables had completely melted,? he added. Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said that extensive training of residents is necessary in fire-fighting operations to avert such situations.

A BMC official said, ?The blaze erupted when many of its residents were still asleep. On being alerted, the fire brigade personnel and police rushed the spot.?

Aaditya Thackeray, who visited the spot in the afternoon, announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who died in the incident. ?There were reports about two hospitals refusing treatment, however, both hospitals informed me that they have admitted and treated some of those injured in this fire,? he added.

?Six old-age people needed oxygen support system and have been shifted to the hospital. Fire flame is under control but smoke is huge. All people have been rescued,? Pednekar had said earlier in the day. Maharashtra BJP president and MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha called the incident unfortunate.

Out of the seven injured taken to the Nair Hospital, five died, while two others succumbed to their injuries at two other hospitals ? one each in Bhatia Hospital and Kasturba Hospital ? he added. At present, 13 persons are undergoing treatment in Bhatia Hospital, two in Nair Hospital and one in Kasturba Hospital, the official said.

Dr Tina from Bhatia hospital said that of the 15 injured, 12 are admitted in general ward condition and are stable, while three are critical and admitted in the ICU.

?Soon after the fire broke out on the 18th floor, residents started running out with their family members. There are at least six flats on each floor. The blaze engulfed the 18th and 19th floors and some residents were trapped there,? another official said. He added that according to some residents, the power supply in the building went off after the fire. Many of the residents of the building were asleep when the fire broke out, he said, adding that firefighting operation is still on.

A similar fire (Level 3) broke out at one of the scrap godowns in Mumbai?s Mankhurd near Kurla two months ago, affecting at least 15 godowns. The blaze was extinguished after over five hours of fire fighting.

The fire brigade pressed 13 fire engines and 12 water tankers to the spot, according to information from the Mumbai Fire brigade.

Assistant Commissioner of the M/East ward, Mahendra Ubale, who was at the site of the fire said, “Approximately 15 structures (all godowns) have been affected by the fire. The land is owned by the collector and leased to those who are operating the godown. Cooling operations have been going. The cause of the fire has not been determined yet. It will be established by the fire brigade through their enquires later.”

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief at the loss of lives in a building fire at Tardeo in Mumbai. PM Modi also announced Rs 2 lakh each to the next of the kin of those who lost lives and Rs 50000 each to the injured.

In a tweet quoting Modi, the PMO said, ?Saddened by the building fire at Tardeo in Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families and prayers with the injured for the speedy recovery.? Expressing anguish at the tragedy, Naidu said, ?Distressed to learn about the loss of lives in a fire accident in Tardeo, Mumbai. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured.?

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