2 die in Mumbai’s Cuffe Parade fire

Two persons died in a major fire that broke out on the 20th floor of the upmarket residential apartment Maker Tower in the Cuffe Parade area of South Mumbai on Tuesday. The fire broke out around 6.25 am on Tuesday in a flat owned by Shekhar Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Electricals. While Mr Bajaj and his family were evacuated unhurt, two domestic helps living in the same house died of burn injuries and suffocation. The deceased have been identified as Ajay Singh ( 32) and Kundan Singh ( 22). They were rushed to the St George Hospital, but were declared dead on arrival.

The fire being a level 3 call ( a major emergency), some 10 fire engines and six jumbo tankers were pressed into service. The fire brigade brought the blaze under control by 8.30 am while the cooling operations continued till 10.30 am. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and is being investigated, the The fire personnel did a fantastic job. They handled it very efficiently ... It could have been much, much worse. Two lives were lost... This is a great wake- up call for everybody.

Shobhaa De,

authorities said.

“We have registered a case of accidental death. Once the fire brigade submit its report, we will get a clear picture of what happened,” Zonal DCP Manoj Kumar Sharma said.

Officials involved in the rescue operations said it was not clear why the helps could not escape.

The other members of the family had rushed to the balcony attached to the living room from where they were rescued by the fire brigade. By the time the firemen entered the living quarters of the domestic helps, both of them had died, officials said.