Mumbai, June 21 (IBNS): Navy choppers hovered in the sky blackened by a thick plume of black smoke as Mumbai witnessed one of its biggest fire incidents in recent times with leaping flames singing the state secretariat building, known as Mantralaya, in the southern part of the city on Thursday afternoon. At least 11 people were injured officially.
Traffic in south Mumbai was thrown haywire as flames leaped out of the fourth floor of the key government building and seat of power in the city amid a huge evacuation efforts by the various departments.
From fourth floor the fire spread to sixth floor, the office of the chief minister.
While fire fighting was on till late in the evening after the fury of the blaze was controlled, injured were rushed to hospital.
More than 25 fire engines fought since the fire broke out at 2-45 pm to control the blaze.
A major portion of Chief Minister's office has been damaged by the fire.
Fire fighters are also evacuating the building till evening as several people are still feared to be trapped inside.
However, no death was reported.
Indian Navy commandos also rushed to the spot to rescue the people trapped inside the building. Naval choppers are also engaged in rescue operation.
At least 65, who were trapped inside the building, were rescued from it.
Combing operation are currently taking place in the department where the fire occurred, an official said.
According to reports, the fire was first reported in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Babanrao Pachpute's office in the fourth floor in the building and then spread to the sixth floor of the building that houses the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
The office of the Deputy Chief Minister was also damaged by the major fire that broke around 2:45 pm on Thursday.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained so far.
The entire area has been cordoned off by the police to keep the situation under control.
Report said the files of the Adarsh building case were safe.
All roads connecting the secretariat with Flora Fountain and Churchgate have been blocked.
JJ Flyover near the building has also been closed for public.
