Mumbai: At least seven people died including two minors after a massive fire broke out in a multi-storey building in Mumbai's Goregaon West area in the early hours of Friday. The blaze erupted at around 3 am at Jay Bhavani building, a ground-plus-seven structure, in Azad Nagar locality of Goregaon West, said an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As per the information provided by the reporter, the fire suddenly broke out in the shop located on the ground floor and parked vehicles. So far, over 40 people have been rescued from the building.
Prime Minister announced ex-gratia
Taking cognisance of the painful incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish and announced Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF. "Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Mumbai's Goregaon. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," PMO said in a post on X.
"An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," it added.
Fire extinguished at 7 am
A total of ten fire tenders rushed to the spot to control the fire. The fire was extinguished at around 7 am nearly after four hours the blaze started. According to reports, from the total of 51 injured persons, seven deaths have been reported so far. Whereas the condition of five is critical, 35 persons are being treated and four of the injured people have been discharged.
Injured undergoing treatment
A total of 31 people were admitted to HBT, out of which one male and five females died including two minors. Another 25 injured are undergoing treatment at HBT including 12 males and 13 females.
After the incident, 15 others were admitted to the Cooper Hospital including six males and nine females. Another person died during treatment, taking the toll to seven.
Deputy CM expressed grief
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the fire incident and asserted that the state government is providing all the required assistance. "Pained to know about loss of lives in the fire incident at Goregaon, Mumbai. We are in touch with BMC and Mumbai Police officials and all the assistance is being provided. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing speedy recovery to the injured ones," he wrote in a post on X.
The blaze had covered the building from all sides and completely gutted the shops and two-wheelers on the ground floor, said fire officials. According to officials, Civic Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal is scheduled to visit the hospitals, where the injured are admitted, in some time.