29 Dec 2017

Mumbai shopping complex fire kills 15

8:49 pm on 29 December 2017

A massive late night fire that broke out at a Mumbai complex has killed at least 15 people, officials said.

The fire in a shopping complex in Mumbai.

The fire in a shopping complex in Mumbai. Photo: BBC / Screenshot

The blaze erupted just after midnight at a building in the popular Kamala Mills restaurant and shopping compound. It engulfed the structure within 30 minutes, local media reported.

Six people had been hospitalised, the city's disaster management department told the BBC.

The fire started at the 1 Above rooftop restaurant, Indian media reported.

According to the Times of India, many of the guests tried to seek shelter in the bathroom and got trapped there.

Most of the casualties were women attending a party. A 28-year-old woman who was celebrating her birthday died in the fire, according to her grandfather who spoke to Reuters.

Kamala Mills is a refurbished industrial compound and houses several upscale restaurants, bars, and offices.

Police have reportedly launched an investigation.