Level-4 fire broke out at a multi-story residential building near the Lalbaug area in South Mumbai’s Parel on Friday afternoon. As many as 12 firefighting teams are at the spot trying to douse the blaze. The fire has broken out on the 19th-floor Avighna park towers building. At least one person has been reported dead in the incident.
“Level 4 fire broke out at Avighna park apartment, Curry Road around 12 noon today,” said Mumbai Fire Brigade.
The deceased identified as Arun Tiwari (30) injured in the high-rise building fire was taken to the KEM hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
According to the report, he was the security guard of the highrise. He went up to check the fire and rescued people trapped on the 19th and 20th floor. However, he got trapped, and in a desperate attempt to save his life he held onto a ledge of a balcony as fire engulfed the floor. Seconds later, he lost grip and fell to death from the highrise.
A majority of the residents managed to evacuate themselves, including several senior citizens and children.
Soon after the tragedy, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar and other top district officials arrived on the scene to monitor the rescue operation.
The origin of the incident, which is suspected to be a short-circuit, is being investigated, and the building is stated to have all fire-safety precautions in place, according to the inhabitants.
As a huge fire raged on that floor, videos showed dark plumes of smoke rising.
