Massive fire in GST Bhavan; scores evacuated, no casualty
Mumbai: Scores of employees were evacuated from the GST Bhavan in south Mumbai after a massive fire broke out in the multi-storey building on Monday, but no casualty was reported, civic officials said.
Nearly 3,500 staffers were working in the building in the Mazagon area when the fire broke out around 12.30 pm, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said.
He assured a probe into the the fire, but clarified no records were lost in the blaze due to digitisation of documents.
Firefighters battled for almost three hours to douse the flames, which started on the ninth floor of the 10-storey government-owned building, the officials said.
Speaking to media persons at the spot, Pawar said the fire spread rapidly due to presence of papers and wooden material in the building, from where thick smoke billowed out.
Over 20 fire engines were pressed into service to put out the inferno and cooling operation was underway, they said.
The fire started from the ninth floor of the building and spread to the 10th floor, the officials said.
"The fire engulfed the entire ninth floor of GST Bhavan building, said Mumbai's chief fire officer Prabhat Rahangdale.
He said the building was smoke-logged and hence firemen used breathing apparatus sets to put out the flames.
According to the Fire Brigade, a portion of the building was under repair.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said scores of employees were evacuated from the fire-hit building, but no casualty was reported.
Though some staffers blamed short circuit for the fire, the officials said the exact cause was under investigation.
The building was earlier known as the Sales Tax Bhavan, but since the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax regime in 2017, it was rechristened as GST Bhavan.
Last week, a massive fire had partially gutted a three -storey commercial building in suburban Andheri.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Man arrested for murder after drunken brawl with friend in Idukki
Idukki (Kerala) (PTI): A 33-year-old man was allegedly murdered following a drunken brawl with his friend at Erattayar here, police said on Sunday.
The deceased has been identified as Rahul, a native of Erattayar.
Police have arrested his friend Sajayan in connection with the incident.
According to police, the incident occurred around 10.45 pm on Saturday near the old panchayat office in Erattayar.
ALSO READ: Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Rahul and Sajayan were engaged in painting work and had reportedly purchased liquor and consumed it together on Saturday night.
After consuming alcohol, a quarrel broke out between the two.
During the altercation, Sajayan allegedly assaulted Rahul and later strangled him, police said.
He then dragged Rahul to some distance before leaving the spot, police said.
Local residents who witnessed the incident alerted the police. Rahul was rushed to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries, officials said.
Police later took Sajayan into custody from his residence.
A case of murder has been registered by Kattappana police, and the accused will be produced before a court as part of remand proceedings, police added.
