Mumbai: Level-IV blaze breaks out at Bandra mall, ‘fire-robot’ brought in for help

Multiple agencies, including the Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, Public Works Department (PWD), and local municipal staff, were deployed to the scene.

Just a day after a massive fire broke out in the Enforcement Directorate's office building in south Mumbai, a blaze erupted at a Croma showroom in Bandra West's Link Square Mall early on Tuesday. No casualties have been reported so far.

Thick plumes of smoke were seen spreading throughout the small area as firefighters used three small hose lines to control the fire. (Satish Bate/HT)

The fire, which was first reported at 4:11 am, was declared a Level-III fire by the Mumbai Fire Brigade by around 4:49 am and was classified as a Level-IV (major) blaze by 6:25 am. A civic official, as per news agency PTI, said that the blaze was confined to the basement.

Multiple agencies, including the Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, Public Works Department (PWD), and local municipal staff, are present at the scene.

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also mobilised after a request from the Mumbai Fire Brigade.

At least 13 fire engines, nine jumbo water tankers, two breathing apparatus vans, one rescue van, and one quick response vehicle were deployed. Additionally, a 108 emergency Ambulance service was also on standby.

Officials said that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Thick plumes of smoke were seen spreading throughout the small area as firefighters used three small hose lines and 12 motor pumps to control the blaze.

Firefighting teams also later brought in a 'fire-robot' at the site to help fight the massive blaze.

NCP leader slams fire department

NCP leader Zeeshan Siddique meanwhile slammed the fire department for failing to control the showroom fire, which later engulfed the entire mall.

"We have been here since 4 AM. The fire department has failed to control the fire... It could have easily been controlled initially, but the fire officers were ill-equipped. There was just a small spark in the basement of the Croma store, and it could have been easily controlled if action had been taken in time," Siddique told reporters.

However, he added, the fire officers were not "properly equipped" and that they did not use necessary equipment correctly even when they had it.

He alleged that the fire could have been easily brought under control had the fire brigade responded effectively.

On Monday, a fire broke out in the Super Bakery on the Seth Motishah Lane in Byculla around 5:27 pm, resulting in four people suffering burn injuries.

The fire was caused by a gas leak and was confined to the premises of the bakery. A fire officer in-charge said, "Two of the injured were workers at the bakery and the other two are related to the owners. There was a gas leak, so they went to go check it, but the sudden fire caused them to suffer burns."

Four fire engines were deployed to the scene, and the blaze was extinguished by 6:40 pm.

On Sunday, a massive 'Level-III' blaze broke out at the multistorey Kaiser-I-Hind building, near the Grand Hotel on Currimbhoy road, in south Mumbai's Ballard Estate area, which houses the ED office.

The fire which was first reported around 2:31 am was upgraded to Level-II around 3:30 am and then to Level-III around 4:17 am on Sunday.

Officials said that eight fire engines, six jumbo tankers, an aerial water tower tender, one breathing apparatus van, a rescue van, a quick response vehicle, and an ambulance were deployed to the scene.

(with PTI, ANI inputs)