Mumbai News: Major Fire Erupts at Times Tower; 9 Fire Engines Deployed

Mumbai:A significant fire broke out early Friday morning at Times Tower, a seven-storey commercial building located in Lower Parel’s Kamala Mill compound. The blaze, which began around 6:30 a.m., has been classified as a level 2 (major) fire by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Firefighting teams swiftly responded to the emergency, deploying nine fire engines, along with additional firefighting vehicles including a Mobile Fire Tender (MFT), Quick Response Vehicle (QRV), Aerial Work Platform (AWTT), Jet Tanks (JT), and a Turn Table Ladder (TTL). As of now, there have been no reported casualties.

According to BMC officials, the fire is currently confined to the electric duct located between the 3rd and 7th floors at the rear of the building. The Times Tower, known for its glass façade, is a 14-story commercial structure situated in the heart of Mumbai.

This incident follows a tragic fire that occurred at the Kamala Mills compound on December 29, 2017, when a blaze initially broke out at the 1Above restaurant and spread to Mojo’s Bistro, resulting in 14 fatalities and numerous injuries. In the aftermath, 14 individuals, including restaurant owners, employees, BMC officials, and mill owners, were booked by the Mumbai Police. In November 2020, the sessions court discharged Kamala Mills owners Ramesh Gowani and Ravi Bhandari from the case.

Authorities have begun an investigation into the cause of the current fire and are working to ensure the safety of all affected individuals. Meanwhile, the firefighting teams continue to battle the blaze, working diligently to prevent further spread and minimize damage.

In a related incident on February 26 of this year, a fire at the Options Commercial Centre in Santacruz West prompted the rescue of 37 people. The blaze, which was confined to electrical wiring and installations on the second floor of the building, was reported at 5:22 p.m. The Mumbai Fire Brigade managed the situation with multiple resources and equipment.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.