Mumbai: A massive fire broke out on stage during a cultural programme tonight at the ongoing ‘Make In India Week’ event at Girgaum Chowpatty here. The fire erupted when sparklers were lit during a dance performance on stage.
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The venue was evacuated immediately after flames were spotted, officials said.
Thousands of spectators, among them dignitaries including the chief minister of the host state of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, were evacuated safely. Minutes before the fire broke out, Amitabh Bachchan, Maharastra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackrey were present at the same venue where the fire broke out.
“We were shaken with the sudden announcement that there has been a fire at the venue but thankfully there were multiple exit routes”, said Heman Goyal, a Delhi businessman who was attending the event. “No casualties reported, no one is injured”. We were anxious that the sea breeze would flare up the fire.
The cause of the fire was being ascertained. “Fire brigade officials were on standby and the whole situation was brought under control by fire officials”, Vivek Oberoi, who was on stage, said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Make in India Week yesterday as a showcase event for the government’s flagship manufacturing scheme.
More than a dozen fire tenders and an equal number of water tankers and several senior fire officers rushed to the spot.
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“I had just got off the stage and was readying to get on stage to perform and the fire erupted and it was so quick”.
