A major fire broke out today in a five-storeyed building at Colaba in South Mumbai, officials said.
The blaze erupted on one of the top floors in the commercial-cum residential building situated near Regal Cinema around 4 PM, said officials of Disaster Control Department of the BMC.
According to officials, the fire broke out in a six-storey building. The officials added that the building has wooden staircases which can further aggravate the fire.
However, no casualties have been reported as occupants were quickly evacuated, they said.
“Fire brigade department has rescued two people,” DCP Manoj Sharma, Mumbai Police, told reporters.
Ten fire tenders have been pressed into service and fire-fighting operations are underway. Personnel from nearby police stations have also been rushed to the spot.
The Navy has sent four fire engines with specialized fire-fighting equipment, its PRO Captain DK Sharma said. The Naval dockyard in Mumbai is about half a km away from the site of the fire.
The Colaba Causeway has been closed to the public. The area has both shops and homes and is close to landmarks like the Gateway of India and Mumbai’s Taj Hotel.
The building houses Cafe Mondegar and McDonalds. The presence of these two restaurants could pose a major risk as they store and use gas cylinders for cooking. Colaba Causeway is a popular shopping location among Mumbaikars.
