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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
A chopper rescues firemen stranded in the building

A fireman died and nine of his colleagues were injured as the navy and Coast Guard helicopters evacuated a group of firefighters trapped atop a commercial building aflame in a Mumbai suburb, officials said.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
Navy choppers rescue stranded firemen

A major blaze broke out on 21st floor of Lotus Business Park, an upscale commercial building at Andheri, a little before noon and 21 firemen got stranded on the rooftop though all civilians were promptly evacuated.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
Coast Gaurd choppers survey the site of the blaze

"Twenty one firemen were brought to our hospital, one of them was brought dead. Some of them are injured but none is serious," Medical Superintendent of Cooper Hospital Dr Sitaram Gawde told PTI.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
Coast Gaurd chopper carries out rescue operations

 

An official at the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai's disaster management cell told PTI that only nine of those rushed to the hospital had received injuries.

 

Gawde said it was not yet known if the deceased fireman died of asphyxiation or due to injuries.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
The top floors of the building were on fire

The firemen rushed to Cooper Hospital were those who had got trapped on the terrace of the building and were evacuated with the help of the navy and Coast Guard helicopters.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
The fire, which was earlier doused was reignited, in the afternoon

Fighting inclement weather, the navy and Coast Guard personnel on two helicopters waged a grim battle to evacuate those trapped on the terrace.

 Dramatic videos showed stranded firefighters clinging precariously to railings and scaffoldings as giant flames leapt menacingly towards them.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
Actor Hrithik Roshan, who has three offices in the building, at the site of the mishap

 

As timely showers caused the fire to abate, they managed to return to terrace after some time.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
Firemen were stranded after putting off the blaze

 

After hovering in the sky and finding no place to land, the navy and Coast Guard personnel lowered winches and firemen were hauled up the aircraft.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
Rescue operations at the building

Although all 21 trapped on the rooftop were evacuated, one lost his life.

Cooper Hospital Superintendent, however, said the exact cause of death would be known only after postmortem.

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Navy choppers rescue firemen from burning Mumbai high rise, 1 killed

Last updated on: July 18, 2014 21:47 IST
Firemen went for clean-up ops when the blaze started again

According to fire brigade officials, 22 fire engines, 10 water tankers and 6 jetties were deployed to quell the blaze which was extinguished after more than six hours.

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