Mumbai, October 23: A massive Level-III fire broke out at the 13-story JMS Business Center in Jogeshwari West, Mumbai, on Thursday morning. The fire engulfed the building from the 9th to the 12th floors. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) launched a massive rescue and relief operation. This is the second major building fire in the city within 24 hours.
Massive Fire in 13-Story Building, 24 People Evacuated
According to officials, firefighters rescued 24 people trapped inside the building. All were evacuated via stairs, using breathing apparatus. Fortunately, no casualties or serious injuries have been reported so far.
Major Fire Brigade Operation
The incident was reported at 10:51 am, and within minutes, at 10:54 am, it was declared a Level 3 (severe) fire. Firefighters launched a massive rescue and ventilation operation to control the fire and smoke.
Nine fire engines, a quick response team, a fire tender, two turntable ladders, an ambulance, and several disaster management vehicles were deployed at the scene. The entire operation is being overseen by the Chief Fire Officer, two Deputy Fire Officers, four Additional Fire Officers, and ten Station Officers.
A fire also broke out in Malad a day earlier
This is the second consecutive day of a fire in a high-rise building in Mumbai. On Wednesday, a fire broke out in a seven-story residential building in Malad West, injuring a resident and a fire officer. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. The fire department brought the fire under control after two hours of effort.
Safety Questions Raised Again
The spate of fires has raised serious concerns about fire safety in Mumbai’s high-rise buildings, especially those older buildings that lack adequate evacuation routes.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Fire Department have appealed to building owners to follow fire regulations, keep safety equipment in working order, and conduct regular fire drills.