At least two people died after a major fire broke out in a four-storey commercial building in the Chandivali area of Mumbai on Wednesday evening, civic officials said, marking the second deadly blaze in the city this week.
The fire erupted at around 6.36 pm on the third floor of the Tex Centre in Narayan Plaza Building in the eastern suburb of Andheri East. Firefighters battled thick smoke and flames for nearly three hours before bringing the blaze under control.
Two workers die in blaze
During the rescue operation, firefighters found two men unconscious inside an office in the smoke-logged building. They were pulled out and rushed to hospitals but were later declared brought dead. The victims have been identified as Bhagvan Pitale (30) and Sumant Jadhav (28).
Both men were taken to separate hospitals — Pitale to Seven Hills Hospital and Jadhav to Rajawadi Hospital — where doctors confirmed they had died from their injuries.
Fire origin and spread
Officials said the blaze was confined initially to Unit No. 303 of M/s Neocell Industries, an office on the third floor, and spread across about 1,500 sq ft. The fire involved electrical wiring and installations, lithium-ion batteries, office files, furniture, wooden partitions, glass windows, doors and a false ceiling, contributing to the intensity of smoke.
The entire four-storey structure was engulfed in thick smoke, although firefighters prevented the flames from spreading further.
Investigation and safety concerns
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and officials said investigations are ongoing to ascertain how the blaze started. Police and civic authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and gathering witness accounts.
Following the tragedy, there are renewed calls for stricter fire safety compliance in older commercial buildings, especially those housing industrial operations and electrical equipment.
The incident adds to concerns over workplace safety in high-risk office environments and the need for updated emergency protocols.