Under-construction mall catches fire in Mumbai

Firemen fought for about six hours to douse a fire that broke out in an under-construction mall near Royal Palms in Goregaon on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Fire Brigade, a major tragedy was averted as it was the day off for labourers working inside the mall.

Twelve fire engines and eight water tankers were pressed into service. Six cavities had to be made at the upper level of the mall to let the smoke out.
The main entrance was the only opening to the mall.

Uday Tatkare, chief fire officer, said, “We received a call at 3.15. Around 140 firemen fought the fire.

Dilip Uklekar, vice president of the mall, said, “It seems a short circuit might have caused the fire.”

Fire brigade authorities, however, said that investigations were on to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Two more incidents: A fire broke out in the Ramabai Nagar colony slums in Ghatkopar (East). The fire was doused within an hour. “There were no casualties in the incident,” said a Fire Bridge official.

In another incident, a fire broke out in a building at Wadala due to a short circuit. Four people who were affected by the incident were taken to Sion Hospital for treatment, said the police.