A Level III fire broke out in a multi-floor building located near the iconic Mumbadevi Temple in Zaveri Bazar, Kalbadevi, in the early hours of June 9. The incident was reported by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) at 1.38 am. Prompt action was taken by the fire department, resulting in the safe evacuation of approximately 50-60 trapped individuals.

The fire has severely affected the ground, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth floors of the building. Over 12 fire tenders were involved in the firefighting operations.

Officials said that the fire was extinguished by 7.55 am. However, it is yet to be ascertained as to what caused the blaze.

Injuries Reported

One person sustained injuries said the officials. Parag Chakankar (40) had suffered minor burn in right hand and it was treated and discharged by medical team on site.

Details of the Incident

Upon arrival at the building located in Kalbadevi’s China Bazaar, the MFB declared the blaze a Level III fire around 3.25 am highlighting the severity of the situation. The fire was initially contained within the lower floors of the building but quickly spread to the upper six floors.

The intense heat and flames caused a part of the ceiling on the first and second floors, as well as a portion of the staircase, to collapse. No injuries have been reported thus far.

Rescue Efforts and Precautionary Measures

The Mumbai Fire Brigade swiftly initiated rescue operations, utilizing the adjacent building’s staircase to safely evacuate approximately 50-60 trapped individuals. Firefighters exhibited exemplary courage and professionalism while carrying out the rescue mission.

At the multidisciplinary zonal training institute centre in Kharagpur on Tuesday, a team working under the direction of Anant Madhukar Chowdhary, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) of the Southeast Circle, began an investigation into the Odisha train tragedy. Eyewitnesses from the region, all railway employees who were on duty in the area at the time of the accident, and accident-related documents were previously summoned by the CRS for questioning.

Investigation report to be submitted soon

“After the first stage of inquiry and document collection, all issues, including the signalling system and interlocking system, are being investigated,” CRS Anant Madhukar Chowdhary stated in a press conference. He further added that, “Several samples have already been collected from the accident site. This investigation process will continue for three more days. After the investigation, the report will be submitted to the Railway Board.”

Earlier, Ashwini Vaishnav, the minister of railways, suggested that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) look into the Odisha train tragedy. CRS Anant Madhukar Chowdhary stated on the CBI inquiry, “The CBI investigation will run parallel to CRS investigation.”

What happened in the accident?

In the wake of the train tragedy, 288 persons have already been pronounced dead. When the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, travelling from Shalimar to Chennai, collided with a stopped goods train on the next track, the rear carriage of the Coromandel Express veered over onto the third track, resulting in the horrifying disaster. The Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was travelling on the third track in the other direction when these carriages struck the rear bogies of that train.

At least 42 people have died and 13,000 others displaced after heavy floods triggered by torrential rain inundated homes across Haiti, according to a statement issued by the countrys Civil Protection Agency.

The statement issued on Monday said that 85 people were injured, while 11 others remain unaccounted for after intense rainfall over the weekend caused several rivers throughout Haiti to overflow, which in turn sparked flash floods, flooding, rockslides and landslides, reports CNN.

The displaced and mission persons were reported from five of Haiti’s 10 departments: West, Nippes, South-East, North-West, and the Center.

“My government, in concert with national and international institutions, is taking urgent measures in order to meet the demands of the hour,” Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry tweeted on Monday.

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned on Monday that flooding could resume with more rain in coming days.

“In the event of another heavy rainfall, the waterlogged soils will be unable to prevent further flooding, rockslides and landslides, and the provisional death toll could rise even higher,” quoted the Office as saying.

The danger is expected to continue through hurricane season, which began on June 1.

Meanwhile, emergency response teams and aid organisations have been mobilised.

“We’ll start providing hot meals to displaced people in the coming hours & are mobilising ready-to-eat rations & dry food,” the World Food Programme said in a tweet.