Crawford Market fire in Mumbai: No injuries have been reported so far
A massive fire which started around 6:15 pm at Mumbai's iconic Crawford Market has destroyed several shops inside the heritage building, fire officials said. The fire broke out in the north-end wing of the British-era structure and it took three hours to bring the situation under control, the officials said.
Almost a dozen big and small stalls, with ground and mezzanine floors, have been destroyed in the fire, which was doused around 9 PM. The shops inside the market were shut due to the coronavirus crisis when the blaze erupted.
A call was received around 6:15 pm and fire fighters reached the spot within three minutes, Mumbai's fire officials said. "The fast intervention and response by the fire brigade has helped avert a major incident," a senior officer said, adding that the situation had escalated to Level-2 from the initial Level-1 fire call.
Five jumbo tankers, one quick response vehicle and an ambulance were rushed to the spot.
The blaze has charred corrugated boxes, large stocks of packing material, bamboos, electrical installations and wirings in the shopping area of the Crawford Market, PTI reported. However, no injuries have been reported so far and the cause of the fire is being ascertained, officials said.
Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar also reached the heritage building to take stock of the damage caused by the raging fire.
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai, popularly known as Crawford Market, is located just opposite the Mumbai Police headquarters near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station. It is a wholesale market for fruits, vegetables, poultry and exotic pets.
The over 150-year-old market was designed by British architect William Emerson.
(With inputs from PTI)