Mumbai: Major fire at Kamala Mills compound kills 14, PM Modi extends condolences

A major fire broke out in one of the eateries located in Trade House in the Kamala Mills compound at Central Mumbai on Thursday night. The fire soon spread to the media offices belonging to Times Now and TV 9 news networks. BMC officials confirmed to DNA that 14 people have died and 16 are injured. Out of the injured admitted in KEM hospital, 2 are said to be critical.  The fire broke out at 12:30 AM and was controlled by the Mumbai Fire Brigade by 2 AM. However, rescue operations continued till late in the night. FIR under charges of culpable homicide has been registered against the restaurant where the fire broke out.

Some activists have accused Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of ignoring complaints made against the illegal structures at Kamala Hills. 

I made several complaints regarding illegal structures in #KamalaMills' premises, but the BMC replied that there is nothing wrong here: Mangesh Kalaskar, Activist #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/npv20egqmN

— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2017

The fire reportedly started from a false roof made of highly inflammable dry bamboo at the "1 Above" restaurant. The flames then spread to the Mojo's Bistro next door, reports NDTV. Majo's Bistro management has claimed that all the safety norms were being adhered to the staff was trained to deal with such situations. 
 
Here is the text of the statement made by Mojo's Bistro: 
We are extremely saddened by the incident. Mojo's has all its fire safety norms, certificates, and procedures in place. The staff are thoroughly trained in fire drills hence our staff was able to evacuate all our guests and themselves out to safety with zero injuries. There were NO cylinders on our premises. We are fully complying with the authorities to help in any way we can.

Our prayers and deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this gruesome incident. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended condolences to the bereaved families. 

Anguished by the fire in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray that those injured recover quickly: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 29, 2017

President Ram Nath Kovind has also extended his condolences. 

Disturbing news about the fire in #Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families and wishing the injured an early recovery. Commend the valiant efforts of fire-fighters and those in rescue ops, tweets President Kovind #KamalaMillsFire (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/HXiRdtglFt

— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2017

Anxious relatives and onlookers were seen waiting for the rescue of their near and dear ones. A senior staffer from Times Now whom DNA spoke to on the spot confirmed that all media personnel from the network were safely rescued before the fire could spread in the office. However, since the fire destroyed the satellite equipment of the network the Times News Network had to stop transmission till late in the night.

#KamalaMills Fire: 'Postmortem reveals that all the 14 deaths were due to to suffocation,' Dr.Rajesh Dere, doctor who performed the postmortems (Earlier Visual) pic.twitter.com/oOqU6CCKz9

— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2017

Transmission of the TV channels ET Now, Mirror Now, Zoom, and  TV9 Marathi affected due to the fire.

Fire brigade sources claimed they received a call around 12.30 AM about the fire. Eight fire tenders, four water tankers and one ambulance were rushed to the scene immediately.The complex houses many pubs, bistros and eateries and is a popular venue for many party goers in the city. The complex also is home to several media houses.

K V Hiwrale, fire officer said, "The fire took place on Trade House. It took place in One Above and Mojo. We do not know whether they were a restaurant or a pub. The entire top portion was burnt. We will figure later whether they had complied to the fire norms."

Even as the rescue operations were on, family members of those trapped were anxiously waiting for their family members to be removed. "Our wives are inside the toilet. All of them are together. If you find one, you will fine all," said a relative.

As time passed, wife of one of the friend was rescued.

BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta visits the location of the fire to overview the Fire Brigade rescue efforts.

"Have faith in God. We will do whatever is in our hands.," said a fireman trying to console one of the family members when body of wife of one of his colleague was recovered.

Mahesh Sable, staffer of Times Now who broke open one side of the terrace which allowed many people to escape safely.

Fire broke out in Mojo Bistro and 1 above restaurant located in Trade House building, Kamala Mills compound, Lower Parel

Suraj Giri and Mahesh Sable, security at Times Now. Sable broke open one side of the terrace gate and Giri helped crowd downstairs giving directions to rush out.

Fire update: Details received from Dr Sandip, AMO KEM hospital at 0326 hrs.
DEAD 
1) Jeet- 49 yrs 
2) Preeti – 36 yrs 
3) Tejal 
4) Unknown – 40 yrs 
5) Pramila 
6) Vishva- 23 yrs 
7) Veena- 28 yrs 
8) Kavita- 36 yrs 
9) Paroli- 30 yrs 
10) Dhairya- 26 yrs 
11) Manisha- 30 yrs 
12) Yasha- 27 
13)  Unknown  
14) Unknown 

CRITICAL 
1) Shefali 
2) Khushboo

Condition stable 
1) Rohan- 22 yrs 
2) Abhishekh- 22 yrs 
3) Deep – 31 yrs 
4) Utsav- 27 yrs 
5) Ankita  - 30 yrs 
6) Siddharth- 24 yrs 
7) Divya – 24 yrs 
8) Neha- 28 yrs 
9) Neh – 20 yrs 
10) Shankra 
11) Jeet- 21 yrs 
12) Yash – 22 yrs 

Kamala Mills, a refurbished industrial compound, houses swanky restaurants and other commercial establishments.