Massive Fire Ravages Mulund’s HDFC Bank!
No human casualty; 4 birds killed; 2 bikes damaged; Bank razed to the ground!
Despite instances of fire in Mumbai that continue to ravage the financial capital of the country, the government and the Fire Department seem oblivious and apathetic about fire compliance measures and safety of commercial and residential buildings. Recently, another fire at Mulund’s HDFC Bank located at J.N. Road in Mulund West has exposed the negligence and the laxity of the Fire Brigade and civil administration.
According to reports, HDFC Bank went up in flames in the wee hours at about 3.30 a.m. due to a suspected short-circuit on Sunday, August 4, 2019. Eyewitnesses said the raging fire was probably stoked by the stormy winds and incessant rain. The fire was so massive that within a few minutes it completely razed the ground floor office of the Bank!!! Fortunately, as the fire broke out in the early morning nobody was present in the office. Therefore, no human casualty was reported, and a major calamity was averted.
However, four birds taking shelter in a nearby tree branch were tragically killed. The magnitude of the fire was so great that MSEDCL had switched off electricity in the surrounding areas for a few hours as a preventive measure.
After devastating the ground floor, the fire spread to the first floor and subsequently travelled up the other floors. Within hours people living on the fourth floor started suffocating due to intense flame and smoke. Luckily, the security guard at the building did not panic and showed the presence of mind as he immediately alerted the fire brigade.
Soon, three vehicles of the fire brigade reached the spot. But the massive fire had engulfed the entire building and ruined the HDFC Bank and reduced important accessories to ashes. Nevertheless, the fire brigade did a fantastic job and after, 4 hours of arduous hard-work, succeeded in controlling the fire.
Good News for account holders at HDFC bank
The sudden news of the fire at HDFC Bank created panic and uproar among its customers as HDFC Bank is regarded as one of the oldest and renowned banks of Mulund. It has a long list of account-holders.
However, HDFC Bank has assured its account-holders and informed that though the Bank has been completely reduced to dust, fortunately the vital locker section, located at the basement of the building, has been miraculously escaped the lethal inferno! Besides, important data has also been deftly recovered from the computer system. Hence, account-holders need not worry and stay calm.
List of property burnt in the blaze
1) ATM machine -1
2) Card Deposit machine – 1
3) Laptops – 22
4) Computers – 22
5) Xerox machines -4
6) Cabins – 4
7) Two bikes parked near the HDFC Bank.
