New Delhi:
A massive fire broke out at ESIC Kamgar Hospital in Mumbai's Andheri (East), leaving six dead, more than 100 injured and over a dozen patients stranded at the five-storeyed building, according to fire brigade officials. Soon after the incident, 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and have been trying to douse the flame. Efforts are also on to rescue the patients from the government-run hospital, located at Marol in suburban Andheri.
The major fire was reported from the fourth floor of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital this afternoon and was later raised to level four at 4:54 pm. As the blaze continued to spread further, officials declared it as level 4 category fire in the evening.
About 47-50 patients have been rescued from the city-based hospital so far and all of them were immediately shifted to the nearby Cooper Hospital in Andheri.
Apart from fire engines, five jumbo tankers, two quick rescue vehicles, three special appliances, one rescue van and 16 ambulances are also put in service to control the situation.
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#UPDATE Death toll rises to 6 in the fire that broke out in ESIC Kamgar hospital in Andheri, Mumbai. 147 people have been rescued till now. https://t.co/bCSbsAOxHZ
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018
Speaking to the media, Mayor, V Mahadeshwar said the reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained. An investigation has been launched to check whether the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) had carried out fire audits or not, Mahadeshwar added.
#Mumbai Mayor, V Mahadeshwar on ESIC Kamgar Hospital Fire: The cause of the fire is not known yet. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is responsible for the fire audits, whether they carried out fire audits or not, that will be investigated. pic.twitter.com/SM0nVmY82G
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018
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According to the Disaster Management cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the smoke continued to spread across the building and some of the patients are still suspected to be trapped on the terrace of the building.
