Mumbai, June 13: A massive fire engulfed in a posh high rise apartment of South Bombay (SoBo) named BeauMonde Tower in Prabhadevi at 2:16 pm today. According to officials, no casualties have been reported and around 95 residents were evacuated from the building safely. To douse the fire, around 12 fire engines, five water tankers and two ambulances were rushed to the site to conduct the rescue operation. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained by the officials.

As the fire erupted on the 33rd floor, the fire-dousing operation has been a difficult task. Though the officials managed to reach on the fire spot and pressed into action, however, they took almost one hour to reach to the 33rd floor. The Mumbai fire brigade has only one ladder which can reach up to 36 floors. Though high-end equipment is available in the market, the department has not procured any such equipment.

Moreover, as the topmost portion of the building was made up of glass facade, it became a difficult task as due to fire, they were falling down, making it risky for fire brigade officials and also for the people who were standing when the mishap occurred. To avoid any untoward accident the officials dispersed the crowd who gathered.

Reportedly, actor Deepika Padukone also owns a house in the high rise apartment. She has a flat on the 26th floor of the B-wing of the building. After the fire operation is completed as per procedure the officials will inspect the building and also serve a notice if it failed to install fire safety equipment as mandated.

In Mumbai, a recent RTI information has revealed that around 29,140 fire mishaps were reported in last six years between 2012 and 2018. Last year in a similar massive fire which broke out in the illegal run pub Mojo Bistro in Kamala Mills compound at Lower Parel, 14 people lost their lives.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 13, 2018 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).