Mumbai: 73-year-old bedridden housewife perishes in Lokhandwala fire

Mumbai: A 73-year-old woman died in a fire that erupted in her fourth floor flat in Breeze apartment in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (West) on Saturday. Lokhandwala residents have been clamouring for a promised fire station at Chitrakoot Ground since 40 years.The fire was reported to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) at around 11.15 am. According to officials, the blaze was spread across a closed room on the second floor of the ground-plus-seven-storey structure. The fire originated in flat no. 402. Firefighting teams rushed to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control by 12.09 pm. Further details about the cause of the fire are yet to be ascertained.
During rescue operations, one woman, identified as Hiru Chdeetalani (73), was found unconscious and was rushed to Cooper Hospital. However, doctors at the hospital declared her brought dead. No other injuries were reported in the incident. The fire brigade and civic officials are continuing investigations to determine the exact cause of the fire.Breeze is a 40-year-old society in Cross Road No. 3 of Lokhandwala beside High Point restaurant.Neighbours said Chetalani lived alone and was bedridden. Her sons who reside in the neighbouring apartment would bring her food every day. "On Saturday morning it was the maid who discovered smoke emanating from the flat when she arrived for work. She alerted residents and security personnel after which the door was opened using a spare key. The flat was full of smoke. We have trained security staff who sprayed the flames using a fire extinguisher. Chetalani was found laying in her bed which was burning. Her sons had also been alerted by neighbours. They came and rushed her to hospital but it was too late."The watchman told TOI that he rushed to turn off the piped gas and electricity supply as soon as the incident came to light. "We were fortunate that the fire did not spread and was contained quickly. Police and fire brigade officials responded soon," he said.