A devastating fire tore through a six story residential building on a Friday morning in Mumbai, claiming multiple lives and leaving many residents injured. Officials confirmed at least seven fatalities and a large number of injuries as the blaze swept through the western Indian metropolis. An assistant commissioner of police from the Goregaon division provided the update, noting seven deaths and a total of 51 people wounded, with five in critical condition.
Initial responders indicated the flames began on the ground floor, where discarded materials were being stored, and quickly spread to vehicles parked nearby. Fire brigade sources described the building as the epicenter of the incident and highlighted the rapid rise of smoke as flames climbed through both lower and upper levels.
Local officials and city leaders shared details as investigators worked to piece together what happened. A fire chief explained that the building had been constructed in 2006 to house slum dwellers and pointed to two structural factors that worsened the situation: the absence of a working fire suppression system and an elevator in poor condition, which contributed to smoke filling the higher floors more quickly.
As dawn broke, firefighters fought the blaze and eventually brought the flames under control. Later, images circulated showing charred storefronts and metal shutters that had protected shops along the stretch. Contemporary video footage from local television networks captured crews securing the area and assessing the extent of the damage.
In the aftermath, Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and pledged state support to local authorities for handling the aftermath and assisting survivors. Officials stressed the need for swift relief measures and medical care for the injured as search and rescue operations continued in the affected building and nearby areas.
Experts and observers note that fires and structural emergencies recur across India, often linked to aging infrastructure, maintenance gaps, and regulatory hurdles. Official data show that in 2021 thousands of accidental fires occurred nationwide, affecting factories, government buildings, schools, residences, and other critical facilities and resulting in tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities. This broader context highlights ongoing public safety challenges in densely populated urban areas and reinforces the importance of strong fire prevention measures, rapid emergency response, and robust building codes to mitigate both everyday risks and large-scale disasters. See local media coverage for case details and ongoing updates.
[Citation: Local media coverage and official statements]