A 70-year-old woman lost her life after a fire broke out in a high- rise near the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in south Mumbai early on Sunday. Fire Brigade officials said the electrical duct on all floors of the 18- storey building was blocked with household articles, due to which the fire spread from the third floor to all floors above. As many as 79 residents were rushed to hospitals and four of them are in critical condition. The Fire Brigade had earlier served notices to the housing society for deviations in fire safety measures under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act. Now, a police complaint will be initiated against society members, as the fire-fighting equipment was not in working condition.

Fire spread through wiring
The fire broke out on the third floor of the 18- storey Samrat Ashoka building located on Keshavrao Khadye Marg. As per initial investigation, it started in the electrical wiring inside a duct on the third floor, and then spread to the wiring right up to the top floor. As many as 96 residents were stranded due to the fire and smoke. A rescue operation was launched by the Fire Brigade at 3 am. At least 79 were rushed to the nearby Nair and Bhatia hospitals for treatment. Laxmi Koli, the 70- year- old, died of smoke inhalation. The majority of the residents were discharged after initial treatment.