Lack of fire-fighting equipment and shoddy electrical work greatly hampered rescue operations at Crystal Towers near Hindmata Cinema in Parel, where a major fire killed four, and injured 22 others, including four firemen.

The fire broke out at 8.30 am. While the cause of the fire and its point of origin are yet to be established, the open electrical ducts are suspected to be one of the major reason for the spread of flames. The blaze was confined to the wiring in the electric duct in the lift lobby, lift shafts and corridors from the 12th storey to the 16th. Only on the 12th floor were all the apartments gutted. According to fire officials, this may have been because of ongoing woodwork at 1201 and 1202.