Mumbai: Five people died when a fire broke out at a high-rise in Tilak Nagar around 7.50 p.m. on Thursday. Two persons, including a fireman, were injured. The fire was doused by midnight.
“The blaze started on the 10th floor of 16-storey Sargam Society in Ganesh Garden,” an official from the disaster management unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The fire spread to the 11th floor and at least four flats were affected. It is a MHADA building that has been redeveloped.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade received a call around 7.51 p.m., and it was declared a Level III (medium) fire at 8.42 p.m. Eight fire engines were sent to the spot. But the engines had a tough time reaching the building due to the narrow lane leading up to it, and cars parked on both sides.
Seven people were taken to Rajawadi Hospital, of whom five were declared dead on arrival. The deceased have been identified as Sunita Joshi (72), Bhalchandra Joshi (72), Suman Joshi (83), Sarala Gangar (52), and Laxmi Gangar (83).
Meanwhile, Shrinivas Joshi (86) has been admitted for suffocation. A fireman, Chhagan Singh (28), suffered injuries. Both are stable. Suman Joshi is the mother of Sanjay Joshi, in-charge of Vikhroli police station.
Late at night, residents were shifted to the next building.
Sandeep Joshi, a relative of Sunita and Bhalchandra Joshi, said as soon as the fire broke out, he tried to save them, but could not. “I took my wife and daughter to the 15th floor. I was helpless. When I called the fire brigade, they told me to move to the terrace. Then I took my son and ran to the terrace.”
( With PTI inputs )
