Kamala Mills Fire: Major blaze engulfs Mumbai's Times Tower building; firefighting on

Smoke and flame out after a fire broke out at Times Tower building in Kamala Mill compound, in Mumbai, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (PTI Photo)

A major fire broke out in the Times Tower building in the Kamala Mills compound of Mumbai's Lower Parel areas on September 6 morning, bringing back memories of a similar incident seven years ago which left 14 people dead.

The blaze, which started around 6.30 am, had not been doused even after several hours, posing a challenge to firefighting teams.

While there have been no reports of injuries, the fire has caused significant damage to the commercial building. Initial reports indicated that the building had seven floors but authorities revised the information to say it is a 14-storey structure.

A level two fire broke out at Times Tower, Kamla Mills Compund in Lower Parel on Friday morning. Mumbai Fire Briagde at spot. No casualty reported so far. @lokmattimeseng #BMC #MFB pic.twitter.com/KNvXOQfvEH
Amit Srivastava (@s_amit007) September 6, 2024

The fire was concentrated in an electric duct between the third and seventh floors on the building's rear side. Firefighters were using chisels and hammers to break through locked doors and gain access to the affected areas. Eight fire engines and other vehicles were on the scene.

The Kamala Mills compound, which has a history of major fires, is adjacent to the Parkside residential building.

Residents of Parkside described the experience as terrifying, with plumes of smoke and flames rising close to their homes. The Parkside security team took immediate action to contain the fire using their building's firefighting equipment before the arrival of the fire brigade, reports said.

(with agency inputs)