Fire in residential building in Thane; 150 rescued

On Friday, fire broke out in a 26-storey residential building in Thane city. About 150 people were evacuated from the building, Giriraj Heights at Hari Niwas.

Late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Vasant Davkhare's family also lives in that building and were among residents rescued. Just a few hours before the fire broke out, former chief minister Sushil kumar Shinde had visited the Davkhares.

"The fire started in the electric duct between the third and fourth floors and went up to the 26th floor," said Shashikant Kale, chief fire officer of Thane fire department.

Eight fire engines were rush to the spot. "There was more smoke than fire. We doused it within an hour and rescued 150 people safely," he said.