Mumbai: 7 dead, 16 injured after major fire at 20-storey building in Tardeo

At least seven persons were killed and 16 others injured in a major fire that broke out on the 18th floor of a residential building in the Tardeo area of central Mumbai on Saturday morning, an official said. Of those injured, three are in critical condition and have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a nearby hospital.The blaze erupted around 7 am in Kamla building located opposite Gandhi Hospital at Gowalia Tank, the official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said."It is a ground plus 20-storey building. The fire broke out on its 18th floor. On being alerted, the fire brigade personnel and police rushed the spot. Thirteen fire engines, seven water jetties, among others, are involved in the firefighting operation," he said, adding that it was tagged as a level-3 (major) fire.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.On being alerted, 13 fire engines and seven water jetties were rushed to the building to douse the fire, which was tagged as level-3 (major). At present, the firefighters covered the blaze from all sides, he said."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.Maharashtra BJP president & MLA, Mangal Prabhat Lodha said, “It's an unfortunate incident.”Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled with the families of those who died in a fire in Mumbai.He wished a speedy recovery to the injured and urged party workers to provide assistance to the affected."The tragic news of fire in a Mumbai high rise is disturbing. My condolences to the family of those who've lost their lives.  Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," Gandhi said in a Facebook post."I appeal to Congress workers to be of every possible assistance," he said.“Fire flame is under control but smoke is huge. All people have been rescued,” said Mumbai Mayor, Kishori Pednekar.The BMC official 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.Video clips shared on social media showed a plume of dense smoke billowing out from the top of the building. Rescue work is still on.With inputs from agenciesRead all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.