A massive fire broke out at Star Mall on Wednesday, sparking panic in the surrounding area and prompting an immediate emergency response. Firefighters and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene to bring the blaze under control. As a precautionary measure, patients from a nearby hospital were safely evacuated.
Officials said no casualties have been reported so far.
According to The Times of India, the fire broke out at around 5.30 p.m. and gutted three parked vehicles in the basement, including an ambulance. Inspector Jayant Shirsath of Upanagar police station said some patients from a few hospitals in the complex were shifted to another facility within the premises as a precaution.
However, police said the evacuation was limited as the blaze remained confined to the vehicles and did not spread to the building structure, so patients in other hospitals inside the complex did not need to be moved.
Rajendra Sonawane of the Nashik Road fire brigade told The Times of India that fire officials were alerted after thick smoke was seen billowing from the basement around 5.30 pm.
Two fire tenders and an ambulance were rushed to the spot. While the flames were restricted to the vehicles, dense black smoke quickly spread through parts of the building, prompting emergency action in select hospital areas. He added that the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes.
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