Basement fire at Mumbai Income Tax office prompts large evacuation, no injuries

A major fire broke out in the basement of a seven-story Income Tax office building in south Mumbai on Monday afternoon, August 17, 2026, leading to a large-scale evacuation and rescue operation. The blaze at Aayakar Bhavan on Maharshi Karve Road in Churchgate filled the structure with thick smoke, stranding dozens of employees on upper floors and the terrace before firefighters brought them to safety. No injuries or casualties have been reported.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade received the initial call at 2:01 p.m. Officials said the fire was confined to the basement, which houses electrical wiring, strong rooms, stored records, paper stock, and wooden partitions over an area estimated at 7,000 to 8,000 square feet. Smoke spread rapidly throughout the building due to its central air-conditioning system and closed windows, prompting the evacuation of all floors. Firefighters subsequently broke window panes to ventilate the structure.

A coordinated emergency response mobilized multiple agencies, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) utility workers, civic ward officials, and ambulance services. Assistant Police Commissioner Nilesh...