Two Dead in Andheri Commercial Building Fire: Rescue and Investigation Underway

Two people died after a fire broke out on the third floor of a commercial building in Andheri East, Mumbai, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Wednesday. The blaze was reported on the third floor of the Tex Centre's Narayan Plaza Building on Sakivihar Road in the Chandiwali area of Andheri (East).

Fire officials stated that the blaze was confined to the third floor of a ground-plus-four-storey commercial building. Smoke had spread across the building, making rescue operations challenging. The fire was initially declared a Level-I (minor) fire at 6:54 pm.

Agencies deployed to the site included the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), Mumbai Police, electricity distribution staff, 108 ambulance services, and local BMC ward staff. The firefighters rescued two people who were found unconscious inside an office on the third floor. However, both victims were declared dead on arrival at hospitals.

One of the deceased was identified as Bhagvan Pitale (30), who was taken to Seven Hills Hospital. The second victim, Sumant Jadhav (28), was taken to Rajawadi Hospital. Doctors at both hospitals confirmed that the victims were brought dead.

Investigations into the cause are underway, officials said. The fire was confined to Unit No. 303 of M/s Neocell Industries, which spans around 1,500 square feet on the third floor. The fire affected electric wiring and installations, a lithium-ion battery, office files, furniture, wooden partitions, glass windows, doors, and the false ceiling.

The officials stated that cooling operations were still in progress late in the evening to prevent any flare-ups. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, in another incident, a fire broke out at a chemical company in the Badlapur MIDC area of Thane district late on Wednesday night, officials said. The incident was reported at around 9:10 pm, and information about the fire was received from the state control room. The fire reportedly followed an explosion at a chemical unit located in Kulgaon, Badlapur, in Thane.

Several fire brigade teams rushed to the spot along with eight to ten fire engines. Firefighters were working to control and extinguish the blaze. Officials said efforts to douse the fire were continuing.