Mumbai building fire: One fireman dies in multistorey building fire in Andheri
Friday, 18 July 2014 - 3:30pm IST Updated: Friday, 18 July 2014 - 8:56pm IST | Place: Mumbai |
Agency: DNA Web Team
DNA Webdesk
DNA
A major fire broke out on 21st floor of Lotus Business park building at Andheri, Link road. This
area is heavily crowded and fire officials have successfully managed to douse the fire.
One fireman died in the multi-storey building fire in Andheri.
Also read: Mumbai building fire: Rescue operation ends in tragedy
Fire brigade, Navy and Coast Guard personnel are fighting a grim battle to rescue firemen
trapped on the terrace of a 22-storey commercial building blazing up in a western Mumbai
suburb where two helicopters have been pressed into service to evacuate them.
A Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) official said that around 15 -20 fire fighters
were stuck on the terrace of Lotus Business Park on Andheri Link road.
Dramatic video footages showed Navy and and Coast Guard helicopters lowering ropes on the
rooftop to help the stranded firemen clamber up to safety from their perilous perch.
An unspecified number of fire fighters have so far been rescued after showers reduced the
intensity of the blaze that forced them to cling precariously to railings and sc affoldings of the
glass-facade tower, raising fears about their safety
The choppers were rushed to the rescue of stranded firemen after gusty winds fanned the fire
making their evacuation impossible by any other means.
According to fire brigade officials, 22 fire engines, 10 water tankers and 6 jetties have been
deployed to quell the blaze.
"We have also requested the Thane Municipal Corporation and the Navi Mumbai Municipal
Corporation and others to provide additional fire engines to help us bring the fire under control,"
the officer said.
"We had initially categorised the fire at Grade 2 and sent 12 fire engines to the spot. The strong
winds at the top further aggravated the intensity of the flames and we have now further
upgraded the fire to the top notch ," the official said.
According to officials, the blaze started on the 21st floor of the building around 11:30 am and
soon spread to the 20th floor.
There were no reports of any civilian casualties yet as people working in the offices were quickly
evacuated by the fire brigade.
"We got a request from the fire brigade to provide aerial help to the firemen who have been
stuck on the 22 storey commercial building. The Indian Navy has deployed a Seeking Charlie
helicopter and the Coastguard a Chetak to rescue t hem," a Navy spokesperson told PTI.
Meanwhile, fire officials who were deployed to rescue people and douse fire are stuck in the
building and a chopper has been deployed to rescue them.
Coast guard helicopter was sent to rescue stuck officials who were se nt in to put off the fire.
Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, who has three offices in the business centre which houses
many other offices, is also at the site. 15 fire tenders are at spot and trying to control the fire.
Navy and coastguard helicopters were also called in for the rescue operation.