Mantralaya fire: toll climbs to three

Mumbai, June 22 (IANS) The death toll in the major fire that swept the Maharashtra Mantralaya or secretariat here rose to three, an official of the city disaster control said.

While two dead bodies were recovered late Thursday evening, another was found Friday morning from the building, the official said.

A major fire broke out Thursday afternoon in room 411 on the fourth floor and quickly spread, engulfing the three top floors of the six storied iconic Mantralaya building in the heart of South Mumbai.

The rescue teams, comprising of the fire brigade, the police, an Indian Navy team and Force One commandoes and 41 fire tenders from Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and other agencies, managed to evacuate and save the 65-odd people trapped on the upper floors.

The fire brigade has described the situation as 'under control' Friday and efforts to douse the fire continued unabated.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has ordered an inquiry by the Crime Branch to ascertain whether it was an accident, negligence or sabotage.