NALASOPARA, MAHARASHTRA — Two senior women lost their lives and six residents were hospitalized after a major fire broke out in the B-wing of the 14-storey Imperial Heritage building in Achole, Nalasopara East.
The deceased have been identified as residents of the upper floors who succumbed to suffocation caused by heavy smoke accumulation. Six other residents were admitted to local hospitals for smoke inhalation and minor injuries, while emergency teams successfully evacuated more than 25 trapped occupants during the intense firefighting operation.
The blaze reportedly erupted around 11:30 PM on Tuesday night. Thick black smoke quickly filled the stairwells and corridors, cutting off primary escape routes for residents living on the upper levels.
Elevators automatically shut down due to power failure, forcing trapped families to remain inside their apartments or seek refuge in balcony areas while awaiting rescue.
Fire tenders from the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) along with reinforcement units from the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation rushed to the scene. Firefighters battled thermal radiation and dense smoke for nearly six hours before bringing the blaze completely under control around 5:30 AM on Wednesday morning.
Rescue teams, assisted by local youth, worked through the dark corridors breaking open jammed doors to extract stranded occupants. Among those saved were four residents who had scrambled onto an exterior ledge on an upper floor to escape suffocating conditions inside their flat.
Rescue operations proved critical during the disaster, though the tragic loss of life could not be entirely prevented. Both deceased women, who lived on the upper floors, suffered severe smoke inhalation and were found unconscious inside the premises by first responders, who were unable to revive them.
Meanwhile, six other residents treated for smoke inhalation and respiratory distress were successfully stabilized and discharged. To support those affected by the blaze, local authorities arranged temporary accommodation at a nearby community venue for over 100 displaced residents while safety assessments of the structure were conducted.
Achole police and fire officials have initiated a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
Preliminary inquiries suggest a potential short circuit in the electrical panel, possibly connected to temporary power arrangements set up for ongoing festive celebrations nearby. Investigators are also inspecting the operational status of the building's built-in firefighting equipment, structural permits, and emergency safety compliance.
Local authorities assured residents that strict legal action will be taken if any safety deficiencies or criminal negligence are identified in the building's maintenance or fire safety systems.
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