Mumbai: 11 Rescued After Kandivali Building Fire, No Injuries Reported
At least 11 persons were rescued after a fire broke out at a four-storey commercial building in Mumbai's Kandivali area early on Monday (August 17, 2026), according to officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The incident occurred at around 6 a.m. at the Abhirai Hotel in Kandivali West. The fire was initially confined to electrical wiring, installations, wooden furniture, tarpaulin, bamboo and plastic materials in an adjacent temporary fruit stall. It later spread to clothes, wooden furniture and a false ceiling covering approximately 50 sq. ft. on the fourth floor of the Tirupati Banquet, as well as to aluminium and plastic decorative sheets on the exterior of the building.
The entire building was smoke-logged, making visibility poor and complicating the rescue effort. Firefighters entered the premises through the staircase and safely evacuated the 11 individuals from a lodging house on the second floor. No one was injured in the blaze, an official confirmed.
At least four fire engines and other firefighting vehicles were dispatched to the site. The fire was brought under control by 6.07 a.m., just over an hour after it was reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the official added.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of fire safety in dense urban commercial areas. The BMC has repeatedly stressed the need for regular maintenance of electrical systems and adherence to fire safety norms in buildings, especially those housing hotels and banquet halls. While the quick response of the fire brigade prevented casualties, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and vigilance.
Authorities have not reported any disruption to nearby establishments, and the building has been cordoned off for further inspection. The investigation will focus on the origin of the fire, including the possibility of an electrical short circuit in the temporary fruit stall.
Local residents and shopkeepers gathered at the scene as firefighting operations continued. The BMC has assured that a detailed report will be submitted after the investigation is complete. Further action will be taken based on the findings to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
