01 March,2014 07:03 AM IST | | Chetna Sadadekar
Fire brigade officials said soon after fire started in the meter room of the three-storey Malad building, black smoke engulfed the entire building, forcing residents to leave their flats to escape thick smoke
A 74-year-old man died of suffocation and four others complained of asphyxiation after a fire engulfed a building in Malad (W) yesterday.
A fire at a three-storey building in Malad (W) claimed the life of a 74-year-old resident
Residents of Shwet Sagar building said the fire started in the meter room of the three-storey building, sending plumes of black smoke into the stairway, making it difficult to breathe.
Gulabbhai Rathod, who died after inhaling thick smoke
Neighbours of the deceased person, identified as Gulabbhai Rathod, said the senior citizen was making his way to the terrace from his second-floor flat to escape the smoke, but by the time he reached the top he became breathless.
The fire had started in the meter room of the buiding. Pics/Nayan Sahane
Rathod was rushed to a nearby hospital, but pronounced dead before arrival by the doctors. The four other residents were also rushed to the hospital, but were discharged after a few hours.
The fire was reported at 6.45 am and took the fire brigade officials 25 minutes to douse the flames. A senior fire officer, who was present at spot, said, "The fire was limited to the meter room, but the smoke had reached all three floors.
The fire was doused in 15 minutes, but the cooling operations took an hour. Some residents complained of suffocation and we took them to the hospital, where one was declared dead."
Terrifying ordeal
Induben Asra (68), who resides in the building, said, "My neighbour witnessed the blast in the meter room and alerted all of us. I usually wake up at 9 am. Had it not been for her, I would still be in bed." "The building is old and needs repairs. I hope they will be done now," said Tarun Vira, another resident.
