Mumbai: 4 dead as fire breaks out at Crystal Tower in Parel, rescue operation underway

At least four persons were killed and 16 others injured on Wednesday when a massive fire ripped through a highrise building, officials said.

The fire erupted on the 12th floor of 17-storeyed Crystal Tower building located in Parel. The fire quickly spread to the other upper floors and adjacent flats.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed 12 fire tenders, a snorkel and other advanced equipements to combat the blaze.

According to an official, area around the lift of the 12th floor was the worst affected. Fire in the electrical wiring kept in duct area had caused smoke&heat on the entire floor, because of which people on upper floors were trapped.

The firemen managed to rescue another 20 persons stranded in the smoke-spewing residential building with several families living there. Though the exact cause of the fire is being investigated, officials tentatively surmise it could be due to a short-circuit.

Two of the victims were identified as Shubhada Shelke, 62, Bablu Shaikh, 36. The identities of the two other persons were being ascertained.

Among the injured is one fireman Sandeep Manjre besides nine males and six females, said an official.

Rushing to the site, Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar said a probe would be launched to find if there were any safety violations in the building and appropriate action shall be initiated.

Some residents told mediapersons that there was allegedly no fire-fighting equipment in the building premises as well as escape routes.

With inputs from IANS