A raging fire broke out at IPL chairman Lalit Modi’s plush Anand Bungalow in Juhu at around 6.30pm on Saturday. The Mumbai police are now investigating whether any foul play was involved. Modi was not present in the house when the fire broke out.

Eight fire engines and five water tankers reached the spot to douse the fire. According to fire brigade officers, it took almost two hours to control the fire. Police officials said that investigations are on to find out the exact reason that caused the fire. “We are investigating the matter to find out if anybody is responsible for the fire,” said senior police inspector, Deepak Katkade.

After dousing the fire, the police cordoned of the area. Modi’s sea-facing bungalow in a blaze did attract a lot of attention as the crowd at the Juhu beach, gathered to watch. While the roof of the bungalow is badly damaged, the furniture and other items were kept in the bungalow’s open area while fire fighters carried on with their operations. The situation was brought under control by around 9pm.

Vice chairman of IPL, Niranjan Shah, was present at the spot. “Lalit (Modi) and I were going to Baroda and were about to catch the flight. But we rushed to the spot as soon as we heard about the fire,” said Shah.