Mumbai Fire : Blaze in Avighna Park Tower Kills 1; Mayor Calls Meeting on Illegal Constructions, Fire Compliance

A30-year-old man died after he fell from the 19th floor of a highrise in South Mumbai, which caught fire on Friday. In a video of the incident, the man is seen hanging from the balcony of a house on the 19th floor from where the fire was reported. He is also seen falling to the ground.

Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar will hold a meeting at 5 pm with top BMC officials on illegal constructions and fire compliance by high rises, according to reports.

The deceased has been identified as Arun Tiwari, who was declared brought dead, according to Dr Parvin Bangar, deputy dean of KEM Hospital.

According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the incident was reported from Avighna Park Tower, Currey Road, around 11:51 am. The fire brigade said the incident has been declared a Level-4 fire. A level 4 fire is categorised in the “very high” danger category. The residential building has 61 floors and the cause of the fire was not yet known, said an MFB official.

The official further said 12 fire engines and water tankers have reached the spot. Firefighters rushed inside the building even as black plumes of smoke were billowing from the building. Cooling operations were on and 26 people have been rescued to safety, said MFB officials.

According to recent updates, the fire is under control and no more injury were reported, officials said.

Iqbal Singh Chahal, BMC commissioner, has ordered a probe into the incident. He said, “First priority is to save the lives and fire has been contained by brigade staff. Cooling work is on as smoke is thick and strict action will be taken against those responsible.”

Mumbai mayor Pednekar arrived at the spot and met fire brigade and police officials to take stock of the situation. She said, “Some sort of spark caused the fire. The fire system of the building responded poorly. We have ordered an inquiry into the incident.”