#JUSTIN: Fire Breaks Out At Mumbai Income Tax Office Building

A fire broke out in the basement of the seven-storey Aayakar Bhavan, which houses Income Tax department offices, on Maharshi Karve Road in Mumbai’s Churchgate area on Monday afternoon. The Mumbai Fire Brigade received a call about the blaze at around 2.01 pm, following which emergency teams were dispatched to the building. Thick smoke was seen emerging from the premises and spreading to several floors above the basement.

No injuries or casualties have been reported so far, officials said. Emergency responders were carrying out evacuation efforts as smoke affected the upper portions of the building. Officials were working to ensure that occupants were moved to safety while firefighting operations continued inside the premises.

Multiple emergency agencies were deployed at the site following the fire alert. The Mumbai Fire Brigade, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), ambulance services and civic officials were among those involved in the response. At least four fire engines, along with several other firefighting vehicles, were sent to the location to assist in bringing the blaze under control.

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Specialised rescue equipment was also deployed as part of the emergency response. A turntable ladder and an aerial ladder platform were being used to assist personnel in reaching and evacuating people from the upper floors. Firefighters were simultaneously working to contain the blaze and prevent the smoke and flames from spreading further through the building.

Aayakar Bhavan comprises a basement, a ground floor and seven upper floors and accommodates offices of the Income Tax department. The presence of multiple occupants prompted authorities to prioritise evacuation and safety measures as firefighting operations continued. The extent of damage to the building and offices was not immediately known.

The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, officials said. Firefighting and evacuation operations were underway at the time of reporting, while emergency personnel remained deployed at the Churchgate building. Further details on the incident, including the cause of the blaze and any damage caused, are expected after the situation is brought under control.

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