A significant fire erupted in a prominent commercial building in Mumbai's Santacruz East area in the early hours of Sunday, prompting a massive emergency response. The incident occurred at Engeen Chambers, a structure located opposite Bharat Bank on the busy CST Road in Kalina.
Timeline and Initial Response
The alarm was raised at 2.37 am after the fire was detected. Fire control rooms immediately dispatched multiple units to the location. The blaze originated and was primarily contained to a sealed office space on the sixth floor of the building. The structure itself is a basement-plus-ground-plus-six-storey edifice known for its glass façade.
Scale of Damage and Firefighting Efforts
The fire caused extensive damage within an area measuring approximately 60 feet by 60 feet. According to officials from the fire brigade department, the affected items included:
- Electrical wiring and installations
- Office files, records, and wooden furniture
- Computers, chairs, doors, and windows
- Parts of the glass façade and the false ceiling
To combat the intense flames, a detailed and multi-faceted firefighting operation was launched. The team was led by an Assistant Divisional Fire Officer and senior station officers. The resources deployed at the site were substantial and included:
- Four fire engines
- Three jumbo tankers
- An aerial water tower tender
- A hydraulic platform
- A quick response vehicle and a breathing apparatus van
Coordinated Emergency Response
The operation was not limited to the fire brigade alone. A coordinated effort involved personnel from the local police, staff from the electricity distribution company to manage power hazards, and BMC ward staff. A 108 ambulance was also stationed at the site as a precautionary measure. Thanks to the concerted efforts of all teams, the fire was successfully extinguished by 4.14 am.
Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident. The building was likely unoccupied at the time, given the early morning hour. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation is pending to ascertain what sparked the blaze in the Kalina commercial building.
