A significant fire broke out in a high-rise residential tower in Mumbai's Andheri West on Saturday afternoon, triggering a large-scale emergency response and the rescue of 27 residents. The incident occurred at the Chandiwala Pearl Regency building on S.V. Road, directly opposite the Andheri subway.
Timeline and Origin of the Andheri Blaze
The fire was first reported at 2:10 pm on Saturday. According to officials from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the flames originated from electrical wiring within the building's electric duct, which runs between the first and fourth floors. The fire was confined to the first floor of the ground-plus-18-storey structure.
The electrical installations, false ceilings, and various fixtures in the first-floor passage and gymnasium suffered extensive damage. Thick, black smoke quickly filled sections of the building, causing considerable panic among the inhabitants.
Major Rescue Operation and Injuries
Firefighters executed a challenging rescue mission, successfully bringing 27 residents to safety. Of these, 9 individuals—5 men and 4 women—were rescued from the 3rd and 4th floors using specialized equipment. The remaining 18 occupants were evacuated safely via the building's internal staircase.
Tragically, four people were injured during the incident. The injured include three brave firefighters: Uday Gize (45), Aaksha Kasale (31), and Amola Kanolkar (41). One resident, Samreen Shaikh (27), was also hurt. All four are currently receiving treatment in the casualty ward of Cooper Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition, as confirmed by the attending medical officer.
Massive Multi-Agency Response
The Mumbai Fire Brigade deployed a substantial force to combat the blaze. Their arsenal included multiple fire engines, jumbo tankers, an ambulance water tanker, breathing apparatus sets, and a dedicated rescue vehicle. The operation was a coordinated effort, with personnel from the local police, the electricity distribution company, civic ward staff, and 108 ambulance services all mobilized at the site.
After over two hours of intense firefighting, the flames were finally brought under control and fully extinguished by 4:35 pm. While the initial investigation points to faulty electrical wiring as the cause, authorities have stated that the exact reason for the fire is still being investigated.
