Tragic Fire in Nalasopara High-Rise Claims Lives of Two Women

Nalasopara, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : A severe fire broke out late Tuesday night in the Imperial Heights building located on the Vasai-Virar Link Road in Nalasopara, Maharashtra, resulting in the tragic deaths of two women. The blaze erupted around midnight, causing chaos as residents became trapped on the upper floors.

Authorities were alerted to the fire at approximately 11:30 PM. Emergency teams from the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, along with police and administrative personnel, quickly arrived at the scene to initiate rescue operations.

Prithviraj B.P., the Municipal Commissioner, reported that the fire department and police worked diligently to save lives. Using a Turntable Ladder (TTL) machine, they successfully rescued 15 to 20 individuals, while others managed to escape on their own.

To assist those affected, nearby banquet halls and hotels were made available for temporary shelter. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, examining various factors including building and fire permits, the status of fire safety systems, and potential electrical faults. The Commissioner emphasized that if any negligence is found, appropriate action will be taken.

During the rescue, firefighters prioritized saving lives despite the extreme heat in the stairwells. Rohan More, the Chief Fire Officer, noted that they received the first call about the fire from local councilor Ashok Shelke at midnight, shortly after two fire engines were dispatched to the site.

Initially, the fire was reported to be on the fourth floor, but upon arrival, the seriousness of the situation became apparent. Many residents were trapped on the upper floors, making their safe evacuation the fire department’s top priority. Eight individuals were rescued using the TTL machine, and in total, around 25 to 30 people were brought to safety.

The fire was particularly intense on the 13th and 14th floors, with additional flames and embers found on the third and ninth floors. Firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames and rescue trapped individuals.

Multiple fire engines, water tankers, and specialized water towers were deployed to combat the blaze. The Chief Fire Officer stated that the exact cause of the fire would be determined after a thorough investigation.

The deceased have been identified as 50-year-old Falguni Shah and 50-year-old Ashwini Parker. Dr. Kavita Jagda, in charge of the Tulinj Hospital in Vasai-Virar, confirmed that the women had not suffered severe burn injuries. Preliminary reports suggest that smoke inhalation may have led to their deaths. The bodies have been sent to a post-mortem facility in Vasai West, with the final cause of death pending the autopsy report.