Mumbai, February 28 – A major fire broke out on the 42nd floor of a 57-storey residential high-rise in south Mumbai’s Byculla area on Friday morning, prompting a swift rescue operation that saved more than 50 people trapped on the upper floors, officials confirmed.
The fire erupted at approximately 10:45 AM in one of the twin towers of Salette 27, located on Babasaheb Ambedkar Road. Responding immediately, the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, the city’s civic utility BEST, 108 ambulance services, and other emergency agencies were deployed to the scene.
Firefighters battled the flames for over two and a half hours before successfully extinguishing the fire at around 1:10 PM. The blaze was confined to a 2,500-square-foot area on the 42nd floor, damaging electric wiring, furniture, and other materials, according to fire brigade officials.
Despite the severity of the incident, no casualties were reported. The building's firefighting system was functional, which played a crucial role in controlling the fire before it could spread further. Security personnel assisted firefighters in evacuating 50 to 60 stranded residents safely.
Thick plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the high-rise’s glass facade, visible from a considerable distance. Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the fire.
This incident underscores the importance of well-maintained fire safety systems in high-rise buildings, which helped prevent a potential disaster in this densely populated locality.