4 killed, 22 hurt in Mumbai skyscraper fire

At least four persons, including 62-year-old woman, were killed and 22 others injured when a massive fire swept through the 12th floor and spread to a few other floors of the 17-storey building “Crystal Towers” at Parel in south central Mumbai on Wednesday morning.

As many as 35 trapped residents were rescued from the fire-hit building by the fire brigade which contained the blaze, suspected to be caused by faulty wiring. Fire fighting system in the building was faulty.

Meanwhile, informed BMC sources said the residents had occupied the building without Occupation Certificates.

Of the four persons killed, two residents Shubhada Shelke (62) and Bablu Shaikh (36) succumbed to burn injuries. Two others — whose identities are being ascertained — died due to suffocation. The injured included four brigade personnel.

“The fire broke out on the 12th floor and spread quickly to the upper floors. Before long, smoke enveloped 12th and other upper floors trapping the residents on the staircases,” said Mumbai chief Fire Officer PS Rahangdale.