A fire broke out in the basement of the Income Tax Bhavan on Maharshi Karve Road in the Churchgate area of south Mumbai on Monday afternoon, prompting a major emergency response as efforts were launched to evacuate people trapped on the upper floors.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade received information about the blaze at around 2 pm. The Income Tax Bhavan is a seven-storey building with a basement, located between Churchgate and Marine Lines railway stations. The fire was reported to be confined to the basement at the time of the initial response.
Following the alert, the fire brigade deployed three fire engines and three water tankers, along with three senior station officers and two station officers. The fire was classified as a Level-I emergency at around 2.15 pm.
Firefighters and emergency personnel began operations to bring the situation under control and safely evacuate people who were reportedly stranded on the upper floors. Authorities were working to ensure that everyone inside the building was brought out safely.
Mumbai Police personnel, BEST officials, 108 ambulance services and BMC ward staff were also called to the spot to assist with the rescue and emergency response.
As of the latest information available, no injuries or casualties have been reported in connection with the fire. The exact cause of the blaze was not immediately known and is likely to be investigated after the fire is brought fully under control.
The incident comes shortly after a fire was reported at a commercial building in Kandivali, adding to concerns over fire safety in Mumbai's densely populated commercial and residential areas.
Update:
The fire is confined to electrical wiring, electrical installations, records stored in cabins, scrap material, discarded records, paper stock, wooden partitions, and other materials spread over an area of approximately 7,000–8,000 sq. ft. in the basement of the building, which comprises a single basement, ground floor and six upper floors.
Firefighting operations are currently underway using two high-pressure lines, three large hose lines and four small hose lines, deployed by eight fire engines. Firefighters are wearing 20 breathing apparatus (B.A.) sets while carrying out the operation. Ventilation is being carried out using smoke extractors and by breaking the glass panes of the windows.
A total of 15 people were rescued from the first, second and third floors and safely brought down to the ground floor through the staircase. Another five to six people were rescued from the first floor using an Angus ladder. Eight people who had taken shelter on the terrace were brought down safely with the help of a Turntable Ladder (TTL).
An inquiry is underway in coordination with the police, Income Tax officials and security personnel to ascertain whether anyone is missing or injured.