A major fire broke out early Friday morning at the Times Tower in Mumbai’s Lower Parel area, engulfing multiple floors of the commercial building located within the Kamala Mills compound. The incident, which was reported around 6:30 am, prompted a swift response from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, who classified the blaze as a level-2 fire.
Nine fire engines, along with several water tankers and emergency responders, were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters battled the blaze for over two hours, utilizing various techniques to access and extinguish the flames, which were concentrated in an electrical duct between the third and seventh floors of the 14-storey structure. Visuals from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from multiple levels of the building.
Divisional Fire Officer KR Yadav confirmed that the firefighting systems and sprinklers in the building were operational and played a crucial role in controlling the spread of the fire. He added that the cause of the fire is under investigation, and a detailed fire audit will be conducted to ascertain the exact reasons behind the incident.
The Kamala Mills compound, a bustling commercial hub in Mumbai, has a history of fire incidents. This latest fire is the third major one in the area in the past five years, raising significant concerns about fire safety regulations and compliance among the buildings in the compound. In December 2017, a devastating fire at a restaurant within the Kamala Mills compound resulted in 14 fatalities and several injuries, leading to increased scrutiny of safety measures.
Residents of the nearby Parkside residential building described the fire as a terrifying experience. They recounted seeing flames and smoke rising close to their homes and initially attempting to control the blaze using their building’s firefighting equipment before the fire brigade arrived. One resident shared, “Our emergency team used our hose pipes before the fire brigade could reach the spot.”
Authorities have assured that no injuries or casualties have been reported in this incident. Civic officials highlighted that the fire was confined to the electrical ductwork and did not spread to other parts of the building. However, the exact extent of the damage caused by the fire is yet to be determined.
Local political leaders and fire safety advocates have called for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms and regular audits of buildings in high-risk areas like Kamala Mills. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “There are no fire audits of the buildings. Illegal construction is on the rise here and the local MLAs are supporting it.”
The Mumbai Fire Brigade’s prompt response and effective firefighting measures ensured that the fire at Times Tower was brought under control without any loss of life. As investigations continue to determine the cause of the fire, this incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to fire safety regulations and the need for regular audits to prevent future tragedies. The Kamala Mills compound, with its history of fire incidents, remains a focal point for fire safety reforms in Mumbai.
