Bandra Restaurant Ablaze: Level-II Fire Hits VN Sphere Mall
A Level-II fire broke out at the 'Foo' restaurant in Bandra's VN Sphere Mall. Read more about the Mumbai Fire Brigade's operation.
A massive fire broke out at a popular restaurant located within the VN Sphere Mall on Linking Road in Bandra (West), triggering a high-alert response from emergency services on Friday morning. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of October 30, saw the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) battling intense flames and thick smoke to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
Emergency Response and Level-II Call
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that the fire was officially logged at 6:02 am. As the scale of the blaze grew, the Mumbai Fire Brigade declared a Level-II fire call by 6:28 am. This escalation meant that multiple fire engines and water tankers were urgently dispatched to the scene to contain the situation.
A coordinated effort was launched involving several agencies. Along with the fire brigade, the BMC mobilised the local police, the relevant electricity distribution company, ward staff, and a 108 ambulance to ensure any potential casualties could be treated immediately.
Challenges Inside the 'Foo' Restaurant
Deputy Fire Officer H V Girkar provided insights into the harrowing conditions faced by the first responders. He noted that while the fire likely started around 5:30 am, the fire brigade was notified between 5:45 and 6:00 am. The Bandra Fire Station was the first to reach the site.
The fire was concentrated in the kitchen and dining area of the restaurant, identified as 'Foo'. The firefighting operation was fraught with difficulty due to the following factors:
- Zero Visibility: The area was so heavily filled with smoke and flames that visibility dropped to zero, making it nearly impossible for teams to move upward.
- Hazardous Environment: Firefighters had to enter the premises equipped with Breathing Apparatus (BA) sets to survive the toxic smoke.
- Intense Flames: The combination of kitchen materials and the layout of the dining area created significant challenges for the personnel.
"There were significant challenges in extinguishing the fire, but our personnel performed their duties exceptionally well," stated Deputy Fire Officer H V Girkar.
Current Status and Investigation
Fortunately, the civic body has confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident. After a rigorous operation, the fire was brought under control, though cooling processes remained in progress for some time to ensure no rekindling occurred.
The cause of the blaze remains a mystery. An official investigation is currently underway, with fire officers conducting a thorough inspection of the premises to pinpoint the exact origin of the fire and determine what triggered the early morning disaster.