MUMBAI: Getting into an elevator at the time of a fire turned out to be a fatal mistake for Ashok Sampat (48) and Sajive Nair (53), whose charred bodies were found inside the stranded
lift on the 12th floor of
Crystal Tower. Eyewitnesses said the two non-residents of the building died while attempting to reach higher floors to rescue their loved ones.
Sampat, who resides four buildings away, rushed on getting a call from his elder daughter Nidhi (20) and mother Veena (74). Nidhi lives with her grandparents on the 16th floor. “It seems he took the elevator to save them,” said family friend Vipul Desai.
The commotion outside the mortuary of KEM Hospital was silenced by cries of his daughters Nidhi and Khusboo (18). Nidhi cried, “Why did he have to enter the building.” His identity was established with a bunch of visiting cards found on him. Nidhi and her grandparents were rescued later by the firefighters. The grandparents are in KEM.
Vasai’s Nair had just left Crystal after exchanging Eid pleasantries with friend Shaikh Mashooq Safi. Their common friend Laxmi Narayan said Nair, who dealt in medical equipment, saw the smoke and ran to help. Nair is survived by his wife and son (20). Chief fire officer P S Rahangdale cautioned against using a lift during a fire.
(With V V Singh)
Relatives of some people who were either injured or lost their lives in the fire that broke out at Crysal Towe... Read More
