Thane MP Mhaske seeks pay rise for firefighters who rescued 50 residents from high-rise blaze

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske has demanded higher pay for the firefighters and disaster response personnel in Thane who rescued 50 residents during a fire in a residential building in the city on Diwali. Mhaske has written to the Thane Municipal Corporation in this regard.

The fire broke out on November 8 in the Carlyle building in the Raheja Gardens complex in the Wagle Estate area. The flames spread from the seventh floor to the 14th floor, necessitating a large-scale rescue operation.

In his letter, Mhaske wrote that personnel of the municipal corporation's fire brigade and the Thane Disaster Response Force brought out about 50 people. The trapped residents were taken to safety through the building's terrace and designated safe areas. He also said the rescue teams brought out several pet dogs and cats trapped with their owners.

The MP said in the letter, "The contribution of these personnel, who risk their lives to protect citizens in a disaster, is invaluable. Raising their pay in recognition of their exceptional performance will not only honour their tireless work but will also greatly boost the morale and enthusiasm of disaster management personnel in the future."

Residents of Carlyle said they were fortunate to escape with their lives. Raheja Gardens is a residential complex with more than 350 flats, and the building has 17 floors. The fire broke out on Sunday night.

The fire started in the building's electrical duct and spread rapidly between the seventh and 14th floors. Dense, toxic smoke filled the corridors, and 40 to 50 residents were trapped in their five-BHK flats.

The Thane Municipal Corporation's regional disaster management cell, the Thane Fire Brigade and special units of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation carried out the rescue operation together. It continued till Monday, and the fire was brought under control at 2.30 am.

No lives were lost, but there was heavy damage inside the building. The common electrical duct and corridors were gutted. The doors, electrical wiring and contents of several flats were also burnt.

Among those rescued was a frail elderly man connected to a BiPAP oxygen support machine. When smoke began entering his flat, panic broke out. Firefighters and the emergency team acted immediately and took him down to safety through the smoke-filled staircase, where paramedics gave him first aid on the spot.

A young resident of Carlyle, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "We were stuck in the lift. The power went out and smoke started coming in. We were fortunate to be rescued just in time."