Mumbai: Three dead, two injured in massive fire at hotel in Santacruz

Hotel Galaxy in Santacruz. Pic/Shadab Khan

Three people were killed and two others were injured after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Santacruz area of Mumbai on Sunday afternoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

According to the civic body, the fire erupted on the third floor of the Galaxy Hotel located in Prabhat Colony on Sunday afternoon.

The officials said that the blaze was reported at around 1:17 pm. Following the information, the Mumbai Fire Brigade officials rushed to the spot for a fire fighting operation. The fire was declared as a 'Level-1' blaze as per fire brigade norms, was doused at 3:20pm.

Along with the civic officials, Mumbai police officials were rushed to the spot for rescue and relief operations, the officials said.

Four fire engines, as many water tankers and other assistance were rushed to the spot, he said.

"The fire in Galaxy Hotel was reported on the third floor of the hotel. The Galaxy Building is a ground plus 4 structure," an official said.

The civic body said that as reported by the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the fire was confined to electric wiring, electric installation, split AC Unit, curtains, mattresses, wooden furniture, etc. of room no. 103 and 203. The fire was also confined to the electric wiring in the common electric duct and laundry cloths, blankets, etc in the staircase and lobby area on the first to third floor of a ground plus three upper floors and partly to the ground plus four upper floors of the Galaxy Hotel.

"The fire was extinguished by firemen using three small hose lines, one high pressure first aid line. The cooling operations were underway," the official added.

The BMC said, five people were injured in the incident and were rushed to the V N Desai hospital in Santacruz area. Out of 5 injured, three people were declared dead by the hospital and two are undergoing medical treatment.

"Three persons identified as Rupal Kanji (25), Kishan (28) and Kantilal Gordhan Vara (48) were declared brought dead by hospital authorities. Alfa Vakhariya (19) and Manjula Vakhariya (49) are injured and are under treatment," an official said.