Mumbai mall fire: 36 hours on, fire-fighting continues, no casualties reported

As many as 18 fire engines and 10 jumbo tankers are engaged in the operation to douse the fire, an official said on Saturday morning.  

Mumbai: Fire-fighting operation is still on after over 36 hours at the City Centre Mall in Mumbai Central area, where a major blaze broke out on Thursday evening, fire brigade officials said.

As many as 18 fire engines and 10 jumbo tankers are engaged in the operation to douse the fire, an official said on Saturday morning.

The fire had erupted on the second floor of the basement-plus-three storied mall at 8.50 pm on Thursday. "There was no report of injury to anyone," the fire brigade official said.

Four firemen and a deputy fire officer were injured in one of the worst fires seen in the city which led to the deployment of 18 fire engines and 10 jumbo tankers.

All those present inside the mall were safely evacuated within minutes after the fire broke at an electronic/mobile shop on the second floor. As the flames spread to the third floor, thick smoke billowed from the structure.

The fire was initially categorised as level 1 (minor) but was upgraded to level-3 at 10.45 pm and to level-4 at 2.30 am, after flames spread to other parts of the building. Around 3,500 residents of the neighbouring 55-storey Orchid Enclave were shifted as a precautionary measure, early on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray visited the site and took a stock of the fire-fighting operation on Friday night.