In Photos: Fire breaks out at Dreams Mall in Bhandup; 10 dead at Sunrise Hospital

A massive fire broke out in the Dreams Mall in Bhandup which also houses the Sunrise Hospital on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, sending a wave of panic in the city. There were a total of 78 patients inside the hospital. While 68 out of them were rescued, 10 persons succumbed to the blaze. Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

The hospital released its official statement on Friday morning, stating that out of the 10 casualties, two bodies recovered from the hospital were of patients who had already passed away due to coronavirus. The hospital authorities also stated that the fire had erupted on the first floor of Dreams Mall and the smoke eventually reached up to the Sunrise Hospital. Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

The blaze was declared as a level-4 fire by the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Around 20 fire engines, 15 water tankers, and ambulances were rushed to the spot. A fire fighting operation is underway. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

Patients were evacuated by the fire brigade and shifted to the nearby Mulund Jumbo Centre and Fortis Hospital, and oxygen support has been made available for them. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) disaster management of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani too were at the spot. Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar who visited the site expressed surprise that a hospital was operating inside the mall. "I have seen a hospital at a mall for the first time," the mayor said, adding action will be taken if irregularities were found in allowing the facility to operate there. Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

The hospital in its statement also said, "This hospital was started under the exceptional circumstances of COVID last year and has helped in saving many patients from the virus. It is functioning with all due compliances like fire license and nursing home license, among other permissions. The hospital staff did a fantastic job in safely evacuating patients on wheelchairs and beds to the refuge areas and by following the fire drills." Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

A fire broke out on the backside of the mall once again in the early hours of Friday. The operation to douse the fire and evacuate anyone who is trapped is underway. Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray visited the site of the blaze and took stock of the situation. "If there are any lapses or negligence, it will be investigated and action will be taken against those responsible. I apologise to the families who have lost their kin." He also announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakhs to the kin of the deceased. Photo: CMO

At some places, we had given permission for temporary hospitals due to the COVID-19 situation last year as per the requirement, and the hospital in the Dreams Mall was one of them. Efforts were made to rescue all but we could not save some patients who were on ventilator support. Photo by Sanjay Hadkar/BCCL

Family members of those who were rescued crowded outside the hospitals where the patients were shifted. As most of them are COVID-19 patient, families are not allowed to meet them. Most of the patients were evacuated from the Sunrise Hospital without their medical reports and clinical records. Many of them have even lost their cellphones and their relatives are unable to contact them. Photo by Raju Shinde/TIL