Late emergency call delayed rescue at Vile Parle fire, two lives lost: Fire officer

Updated On: 13 August, 2026 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar

A delay of nearly an hour in alerting the fire brigade after the blaze broke out at Shanta Bhuvan in Vile Parle West hampered rescue efforts and proved fatal for two people, according to a senior fire officer. The first call was received around 10 pm, despite the fire starting at around 9 pm

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Shanta Bhuvan building on Baptista Road in Vile Parle West hours after the fire was doused on Wednesday. PIC/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

The delay in alerting the authorities after the blaze broke out at Shanta Bhuvan proved fatal for two, according to AS Khanolkar, senior station officer, Andheri fire station, who stated that the first call reached them nearly an hour after the fire had started.

“The fire began around 9 pm, but we received the first call only around 10 pm. What is more concerning is that the call did not come from the residents or the watchman of the building. They did not even know the basic fire emergency number, 101. Someone from a neighbouring building eventually called us,” Khanolkar said.