Mumbai's commercial hub goes up in flames

It took over 12 hours to bring the flames under control and snuff it out completely.
Three firefighters sustained burns while trying to douse the fire.

The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals even as the blaze continued to throw up clouds of smoke and ash in south Mumbai area.

The shopkeepers without naming anybody has charged that the “it was a case of sabotage,” and have demanded an enquiry into the fire that requires over 40 fire engines and over a dozen water tankers to be extinguished.

Sara-Sahara Mall has been in the news for its reported ownership by don Dawood Ibrahim.

Municipal Commissioner Subodh Kumar told reporters that the fire would be brought “under control soon” and there were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Apart from pressing its own fire fighting tenders, two additional fire tenders from the satellite towns Navi Mumbai and Thane were also pressed into service.

According to a civic official, more than 350 shops located inside the three shopping plazas were reduced to ashes. Scores of small shops located on the outskirts of the complexes, have suffered losses running into crores of rupees.

Fire brigade control room said that the first report of the flames spreading came around 3:45 am from Manish Market, Sara-Sahara Shopping Complex, Mota Market.

In the south Mumbai market belt, the enclaves are based on the kind of goods which the shop-keeper sells.

According to a civic official, more than 350 shops located inside the three shopping plazas were reduced to ashes. Scores of small shops located on the outskirts of the complexes, suffered losses running into crores of rupees.

The shopping centres that were affected by the fire were mostly dealing in garments, perfumes and electronic items.

According to shop-keepers though it is too early to make a guess about the loss, a general consensus was that “ it would run into crores.”
DH News Service