Two United States-based Indian brothers died in a fire at Kamala Mills in Mumbai, in which 12 others were killed on Dec. 29. A fire raged at a rooftop pub called One Above, where Dhairya Lalani, 26, and Vishwa Lalani, 23, died after they went back in to save their aunt.
The bodies of the Lalani brothers and their aunt Pramila Kenia were found with several others inside the washroom of the pub. The three were not burnt and died of suffocation with the others, according to the police. As many as 21 people were injured.
“The cooling operations are underway. Some of the injured people are in critical condition,” an official said, PTI reported.
The brothers had come to India on a holiday, and reached Mumbai two weeks ago. Their aunt had organized a party for the two at One Above with several of their friends also present at the venue.
“They died helping others,” Viral Chedda, a cousin of the brothers, said, according to Scroll.
“They had a table booked near the entrance of the pub,” a friend of the family told the Indian Express. “So when the fire broke out, those near the table immediately stepped out the restaurant. But after coming out, the two brothers realized that their aunt Pramila wasn’t with them.”
Kenia’s sister Bharti Doshi said, “They were the only children in the whole family. Three mothers lost their children today.”
Dhairya had been living in the United States for the last five years and recently quit his job. His date of return wasn’t fixed.
#KamalaMillsFire: At least 14 people killed and 12 injured after a major fire in a building in #KamalaMills Compound in Lower Parel. Most of the casualties were women who were attending a birthday party at one of the restaurants in the compound
Full Story: https://t.co/fQRba89S0K pic.twitter.com/TSxGb7AkUT— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 29, 2017
The fire was reported around 12.30 a.m. at the rooftop restaurant at the Kamla Trade House. The fire then spread to another restaurant, Mojo Bistro, nearby. There are 36 restaurants, shopping areas and offices near the location and the fire has sparked fear and outrage among the citizens.
14 lives lost just coz a pub decided to go overboard with “entertainment”? Horrible. Will @MumbaiPolice ask their concerned beat as to why was such a show allowed there? #KamalaMills
— Raj Shekhar Jha (@rajshekharTOI) December 29, 2017
Many women in their early 20s and 30s, who were at the location celebrating a birthday dinner, died in the fire as well.
.@ZoomTV office affected. Firemen in process to control the fire. #KamalaMills pic.twitter.com/gDV9AClakr
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) December 28, 2017
Hratesh Sanghvi, Jigar Sanghvi and Abhijeet Manka of C Grade Hospitality, which manages the pub, were booked along with others under various charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Disturbing to know about the loss of lives in unfortunate #KamalaMills fire incident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with families who lost their loved ones and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Directed the BMC Commissioner to conduct an in-depth inquiry: @Dev_Fadnavis pic.twitter.com/cxVnG1Ibqn
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 29, 2017