Level-II fire at Haji Qasam chawl in Mumbai's Dongri; separate blaze hits 17-storey Thane building

A major fire broke out on Sunday night at the Haji Qasam chawl on Dr. Maheshwari Road in Mumbai's Dongri area. Officials said emergency teams were sent to the spot after the incident was reported.

The fire was initially reported from a garage in the chawl, which is near the Dutt temple.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) first declared it a Level-I fire call at 9.58 pm. According to the fire brigade, the fire kept spreading as firefighting progressed. Sources said that was why the brigade upgraded the call to Level-II at 10.10 pm.

Firefighting was continuing and several emergency agencies had been deployed at the site. Along with the fire brigade, police, BEST staff, a 108 ambulance and ward staff were also called in as part of the emergency arrangements to handle the situation.

As of the latest information at 10.50 pm, no one was reported injured. Information on how far the fire had spread, its cause and the total damage was awaited.

Meanwhile, a fire also broke out in a building in Thane (West) on Sunday evening. Municipal officials said the fire was in the 17-storey Carlyle building in the Raheja Garden complex in Wagle Estate. According to the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation, the fire was reported at 8.31 pm.

Firefighters and emergency teams reached the spot to bring the fire under control. Efforts were also under way to evacuate people allegedly trapped inside the building. Fire brigade personnel began the operation to put out the fire in the ground-plus-17-storey residential building. Two Bronto fire vehicles, two fire engines, one water tanker and two jumbo water tankers were deployed. Disaster management staff also arrived with a pick-up vehicle. Disaster response team personnel, police officers and ambulance services were also deployed.

According to officials, rescue teams were working to bring out safely the people allegedly trapped in the building. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also reached the spot after the incident. Local representatives and Thane Municipal Corporation officials were also present to monitor the situation. No injuries were reported in this incident either at the time of the latest information.