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ShareMumbai: A minor fire broke out in the basement of the Taj Mahal hotel on Saturday
afternoon, which also houses the lockers of the hotel staff. The incident created an instant flurry, with memories of November 26 -- when the hotel burnt in view of millions -- coming alive.
The fire brigade team said that it was a high priority call because the kitchen of the hotel is right above the basement, where the fire started. "There are numerous gas cylinders and other inflammable objects, which could have caused massive damage. Obviously, the hotel staff was deeply concerned," said a fire official.They later referred to the fire as a 'Number two' call, which they explained is how they rate fires depending on the grimness of the situation.
Although there were no casualties, four members of the hotel staff have been admitted to Bombay Hospital due to suffocation. "They are in no danger whatsoever," assured police inspector Nitin Kakade.
At 12pm, a fire started due to a short circuit in the basement area of the new bulding of the hotel. As the fire alarm rang, the staff of Singapore Airlines rushed out from their office in the basement. The firemen reached the hotel with six fire engines and water tankers. The officials cut off the electric supply of the new building, on reaching the site, and started dousing the fire.
Later, they admitted that though the fire was not very big, the guests at the hotel were in fear, which resulted in chaos for some time. The fire was brought under control within one and a half hour, but the electricity was not brought back on until Saturday evening. People present at the hotel, including staff and guests, were immediately evacuated. The guests have been shifted to the Taj President at Cuff Parade, a spokesperson of the Taj group said.
With inputs by Preety Acharya
