Lift operator dies of suffocation in 17th-floor fire at Andheri's Runwal Elegante towers

A fire broke out on the 17th floor of the Runwal Elegante towers in Andheri, Mumbai, on Saturday night. The building's 46-year-old liftman died of suffocation after being trapped inside a lift. The deceased has been identified as Dhanpat Mahtu.

According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the fire was reported at 9.50 pm from flat number 1701 and was brought under control by 10.37 pm. Fire brigade personnel, police, power company staff, a 108 ambulance and K West ward staff reached the spot. Mahtu was taken to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Cooper Hospital, where Chief Medical Officer Dr Anish declared him dead.

The fire started between 9.15 pm and 9.30 pm in the flat of Sharad Agrawal. Agrawal had gone to meet his parents in a flat next to B wing at the time. On learning of the fire, he ran back and brought out his parents-in-law and a dog. Residents said the building's firefighting system was working and was used to put out the fire.

The complex has 33 floors and three towers: A, B and C. They have 27 residential floors, six parking floors and four lifts. Mahtu had worked as a security guard and liftman here for nine years, since the building was constructed. How he came to be trapped in the lift is not yet fully known.

After the incident, power to the affected building remained cut, forcing several families to move to hotels or relatives' homes. As a precaution, piped gas supply to all three towers was also shut off. Gas connections have now been restored in all three towers. Electricity in the affected building is being restored floor by floor after a full check. The society has decided to cancel its traditional Diwali firecracker celebration this year.

A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "The fire brigade's ladder could reach only the seventh or eighth floor. Pumping water from the ground to the 17th floor was not effective, as it could not reach that height. Firemen went up the stairs and put out the fire. The buildings had been evacuated as a precaution."