Without thinking twice about their own lives, these 5 men rushed into the flames to save more than 20 trapped residents of Lake Homes society in Powai; unfortunately, they could not make it out alive

While the city’s apathy is well known and reports abound of bystanders merely looking on and refusing to help people in cases of accidents or assaults, every once in a while some Mumbaikars display a rare form of courage and selflessness that rekindles one’s faith in humanity.

It was precisely that kind of bravery that was on display on Saturday, after a fire broke out in the Lake Homes society in Powai, when at least six people made several trips inside the burning high-rise to rescue trapped residents. Five of the men most of whom were migrants to the city paid the ultimate price for their courage, however, and were among the seven who lost their lives in the blaze.

Also read: Man loses life after saving 6 people from Powai building blaze



Rescue personnel at the scene of the fire that took place on Saturday evening at the Powai building. Pic/AFP

Four of the bravehearts died of suffocation after getting trapped in elevators, which came to a standstill after someone switched off the main power supply to the building, and one was found dead in the building’s corridors. Members of Lake Homes society are collecting funds for the families of three of the deceased, who were employees in the building.

‘Didn’t think twice’

The fire, which broke out around 5.23 pm on the 14th floor of the B Wing, allegedly due to a short circuit in the air conditioner unit in flat number 1403/04, spread quickly. And, before the fire brigade could reach the spot, the brave men rushed to the rescue of the residents.

Also Read: Quit playing with fire, Mumbai

Tausif Shaikh (25) a social worker and father of three, was amongst the first ones to begin the rescue work, along with Babu Lohar (25), a driver working for one of the flat owners from the 15th floor. One of Lohar’s friends, Shyam Pandey, told mid-day that the duo saved 10 to 11 people in two trips and got stuck in two separate elevators in their third attempt.

They had taken the stairs in the first trip and opted for the elevators from then on because they thought it would help rescue people faster. “Lohar thought that his sister, who works as a domestic help in a flat on the 19th floor was in the building and he didn’t think twice before rushing to save her and the building’s residents.

After he had rescued the first batch of people, his sister met him downstairs and he heaved a sigh of relief. Then, he shifted his focus to the family that he used to work for. He was heading up to the 15th floor when he got trapped in an elevator alone and lost his life,” said Pandey.

Lohar is survived by his ailing parents and his wife. He had got married a year ago and planned to have children soon. Tausif, whom mid-day had reported about yesterday (‘Man loses life after saving 6 people from Powai building blaze’) also died after being trapped in an elevator and is survived by his wife and three children.

‘Proud of him’

Hiralal Gupta (35), a security guard of the building, was also in the same elevator as Tausif. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Gupta was a resident of the Swami Narayan Nagar slums near the building, where he stayed with his brother Jawaharlal. Gupta had saved around four to five people in his first trip inside the burning building and had decided to take the elevator for the second trip.

Devidas Lende, human resources manager of Frontline Guards, the security agency Gupta was working for, said the company is proud of its employee and will offer compensation to his family. “Gupta’s family, including his four children and wife, stay in a village in UP and they depended on him. Hence, we will give them the highest possible compensation, apart from his provident fund and ESIC (Employee’s State Insurance Corporation) amount,” said Lende.

Groom-to-be

Pradeep Sarkar (22) and Ankush Sutar (40) were electricians hired by the society. While Sutar used to stay in the servant quarters of the building, Sarkar stayed in a locality in the neighbourhood. The duo rushed to rescue people when they noticed the fire. While Sarkar was found dead in the same elevator as Tausif and Gupta, Sutar’s body was found in the corridor on the 14th floor.

Also read: 2 fires in Bandra, Powai leave 7 dead, 28 injured

Sutar, who is originally from Vidarbha, had been working as an electrician for four years and Sarkar was about to go to his native place, Siliguri in West Bengal, to discuss his marriage plans. “He had bought new clothes and was exited to go to his native place. The family was discussing his marriage plans and they had decided to get him married by the end of the year,” said Pramod Kumar Saket (22), Sarkar’s roommate.

Ashwan Bhatia (58), a resident of the 19th floor, and Kajal Soni (41), the daughter of a 16th floor resident were the other two deceased. Soni had rushed to the upper floors when the fire broke out and her body was found from the 19th floor. Twenty-six people were injured in the incident.