Two Killed and Four Injured in Vile Parle High-Rise Fire

A fire broke out in a residential high-rise building on Baptista Road in Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, resulting in the deaths of a 23-year-old woman and a two-and-a-half-year-old infant. Four other individuals sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred on the upper floors of the structure.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) disaster management cell, the deceased have been identified as 2.5-year-old Abir and 23-year-old Ankita. The four injured individuals have been identified as Parth, 32, Hiren, 64, Yashasvi, and Abhishek. Following their rescue, all six individuals were rushed to Nanavati Hospital in Bandra, where Abir and Ankita were declared dead. The remaining four injured victims are currently undergoing treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

Firefighting and Rescue Operations

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) reported that the blaze initially broke out on the 11th floor of the ground-plus-12-storeyed building at approximately 10:08 PM. The flames quickly intensified, prompting the MFB to classify the incident as a Level 2 fire by 10:16 PM. Fire officials noted that all six victims were injured sequentially during the incident, with two individuals found in an unconscious state during the rescue.

The rescue operation faced significant challenges due to heavy smoke. A fire official stated that the entire corridor and the building were engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for emergency responders to navigate. Despite these hurdles, MFB officials successfully reached the trapped residents on the 11th floor and pulled them out of the building.

Investigation Into the Cause

Firefighters brought the blaze under control around midnight after a nearly two-hour-long firefighting operation. Following this, emergency teams initiated cooling operations at the site. Authorities have stated that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined and will be established following a thorough investigation.