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A tragic fire claimed the lives of three individuals, including a senior citizen couple, in a high-rise apartment in Mumbai's Lokhandwala Complex. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, around 8 a.m., when flames engulfed a flat on the 10th floor of the 14-storeyed Riya Palace building. The fire department, along with other emergency services, responded swiftly, arriving at the scene within minutes.
The blaze, which generated dark clouds of smoke, was confined to the single apartment. However, the incident sparked panic among residents on the same floor and higher levels, leading them to evacuate their homes and seek refuge in the society garden. Firefighters battled the flames with multiple fire tenders and water tankers, successfully extinguishing the fire within an hour. Unfortunately, three victims were discovered inside the apartment, severely injured, and were immediately transported to the BMC's Cooper Hospital in Juhu. Sadly, they were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The victims were identified as Chandraprakash Soni and Kanta Soni, both 74 years old, and a 42-year-old man named Pelubeta, who resided in the same flat as the couple. While the exact relationship between Pelubeta and the elderly couple remains unclear, the three perished in the fire. Their bodies were sent for autopsy, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the blaze. Initial suspicions suggest a short circuit as the potential cause, but a thorough examination is being conducted to confirm this theory.
A nearby resident shared that the victims appeared to have succumbed to smoke inhalation and burns, suggesting they were unable to escape the fire and smoke in time. The incident highlights the devastating consequences of fire incidents and the importance of fire safety measures. Following the incident, the Andheri-Lokhandwala-Oshiwara Citizens Association expressed concerns regarding the response time of the fire department, attributing it to the narrow roads within the Lokhandwala Complex. They called for the widening of these roads to improve accessibility for emergency vehicles, especially considering the increasing redevelopment activities in the area. This tragic event underscores the need for robust fire safety protocols, efficient emergency response systems, and adequate infrastructure to minimize the risk of such incidents and ensure the safety of residents in high-rise buildings.
Source: Elderly couple among 3 killed in a blaze at posh complex in Mumbai