Mumbai: Kalbadevi building falls after blaze, two firemen killed

Two firemen were killed and two others, including the city’s fire brigade chief, seriously injured after a five-storey building in Kalbadevi collapsed while firefighters were trying to douse a massive fire that broke out on Saturday. Three other people also suffered injuries.

Two firemen were killed and two others, including the city’s fire brigade chief, seriously injured after a five-storey building in Kalbadevi collapsed while firefighters were trying to douse a massive fire that broke out on Saturday. Three other people also suffered injuries.

The fire reportedly started from the electricity meter room on the ground floor around 4.30pm and spread quickly at Gokul Nivas, a building more than 50 years old. At the time of going to press, the fire had been brought under control.

The firemen who died were identified as assistant divisional officer SW Rane and station officer MN Desai. The city’s fire brigade chief Sunil Nesrikar suffered 50% burns, while deputy chief fire officer SG Amin was fighting for life with 80% burns. Both were admitted to the National Burns Centre at Airoli.

Residents said the building was undergoing repairs when the fire broke out and the entire structure was gutted within hours. A cylinder blast during the firefighting process made the situation worse.