Among the deceased are two minors. The injured have been admitted to HBT Hospital and Cooper Hospital and the condition of five are stated to be critical.

According to reports, the fire spread through the ground floor and burned down shops, scrap material, cars, and other vehicles parked there. “The building was constructed in 2006 under the Slum Rehabilitation scheme and had no fire fighting system. The lift was old and significant amount of smoke travelled through lift duct,” Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar was quoted as saying.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

“Our family members and relatives were there. My aunt has died. A short circuit occurred at around 1.30 am and then the fire spread… The fire spread to the 7th floor… From our family, one dead body is with them, they said they will hand it over in an hour…,” a relative of a victim told ANI.