A devastating fire erupted at the ‘Galaxy Hotel’ in Santacruz, Mumbai, on a Sunday afternoon. The fire tragically claimed the lives of three individuals and left three others with serious injuries. The incident unfolded rapidly, starting in room number 103 on the hotel’s third floor near Prabhat Colony. Within moments, the flames engulfed the upper floors of the hotel, causing significant damage.
The Tragic Incident
At approximately 1:30 pm on that fateful Sunday afternoon, a fire ignited in room number 103 on the third floor of the Galaxy Hotel. The blaze swiftly intensified, spreading to the floors above. In response to the emergency, multiple fire engines rushed to the scene, working tirelessly to control the fire and rescue those trapped inside. Despite their efforts, three individualsโRupali Kanji (25), Kishan (28), and Kantilal Gordhan Wara (48)โlost their lives in the chaos. Additionally, Alfa Wakharia (19), Manjula Wakharia (49), and Mohammad Aslam (48) suffered injuries in the incident and are currently receiving treatment at V. N. Desai Hospital. The hotel itself sustained extensive damage.
Cause of the Fire
The exact cause of the fire at Galaxy Hotel remains unclear. In accordance with municipal regulations, buildings exceeding a height of fifteen meters, including government offices, are required to have fire prevention systems in place. Similarly, industrial buildings must have fire prevention systems regardless of their height. However, Galaxy Hotel, constructed in 1966, predates these fire safety regulations, as they were not in effect at that time. Consequently, the hotel did not have a fire prevention system installed, as confirmed by senior fire brigade officials.
The fire at Galaxy Hotel in Santacruz was a tragic incident that claimed three lives and left three others injured. The rapid spread of the fire and the absence of a fire prevention system in the hotel, due to its construction in 1966, have raised concerns about the importance of enforcing fire safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future. Authorities may now reevaluate and strengthen fire safety measures to ensure the safety of residents and guests in Mumbai’s older buildings.
