Two women die and six injured in Nalasopara tower fire linked to Navratri power hookup

Around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, sparks from electrical wiring on the 13th floor ignited a fire in flat 903 of the 14-storey Imperial Heritage building in Achole, Nalasopara East. The blaze quickly spread, trapping residents between the ninth and 14th floors; two 12th-floor occupants, Falguni Shah, 58, and Ashwini Parkar, 55, died of smoke inhalation, while six others were hurt, three needing hospital treatment. Police suspect the fire was triggered by a short circuit linked to a temporary power connection for a Navratri celebration held inside the complex.

Firefighters, aided by cranes and by forcing open doors swollen by heat, rescued over 25 people and battled the flames for almost six hours before the fire was fully doused at about 6 am. Significant damage was reported on the ninth and 12th floors, with other flats partially affected. Although fire-safety equipment had been installed, it was not operational, residents said. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause.