Victims of Kamala Mills Fire: Girl Celebrating B’Day, 2 Brothers

Khushbhu Bhansali (left) and Vishwa Lalani lost their lives in the Kamala Mills fire in Mumbai.

(Photo: Facebook)

A massive fire engulfed the Trade House Building in Kamala Mills compound in Mumbai’s Lower Parel in the wee hours of Friday, 29 December. The blaze, which broke out at the ‘1 Above’ restaurant, left 14 people dead and around 16 injured.

Among the deceased was Khushbu Mehta Bhansali, who was celebrating her 28th birthday at 1 Above with her family and friends.

Khushbu Mehta Bhansali, 28

Khushbu’s grandfather, Babu Lal Mehta, said that around 20 to 25 members of his family were celebrating her birthday, out of whom two were trapped and died due to suffocation, including Khushbu.

The Mehta alleged that Khushbu could have been saved if she had received immediate medical care.

Khushbu Bhansali (right) was celebrating her birthday with her family and friends at ‘1 Above’ restaurant in Mumbai.(Photo: Facebook)

My granddaughter was celebrating her 28th birthday today. She was married. The restaurant had a bamboo structure on its rooftop that could easily catch fire. This restaurant did not have a fire extinguisher or any equipment to put out the fire. The authorities failed terribly, as did the civic body and the police.

Khushbu’s grandfather

A Snapchat video from Khushbu’s birthday party also surfaced online, which shows her cutting a cake moments before the fire broke out.

The other victim who came to ‘1 Above’ for Khushbu’s birthday was 21-year-old Kinjal Shah, The Indian Express reported.

Vishwa Lalani, 23, and Dhairya Lalani, 26

Two US-based brothers, who were on a holiday in Mumbai, also died in the Kamala Mills fire. As per a report in The Indian Express, the two brothers – Vishwa and Dhairya Lalani – were also present at ‘1 Above’ with their aunt, Pramila, and few other friends.

After the blaze erupted, the two of them went back to save their aunt. Firemen located the bodies of Vishwa and Dhairya in the washroom, along with their aunt’s and few others, IE reported.

Dhairya Lalani.(Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

Vishwa Lalani.(Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

One of the survivor told The Quint that around 100 to 120 people were on the floor when the fire erupted.

Fourteen persons, including 11 women mostly in their 20s and early 30s, died in the accident. According to witnesses, the bodies were recovered near the women’s washroom. The police believe they died due to suffocation.

The victims of the Kamala Mills fire were:

1. Pramila - age unknown
2. Tejal Gandhi – 36
3. Khushbu Mehta Bhansali – 28
4. Vishwa Lalani – 23
5. Parul Lakdawala – 49
6. Dhairya Lalani – 26
7. Kinjal – 21
8. Kavita Dharani – 36
9. Shafali – age unknown
10. Tasha – 22
11. Sarbjeet – age unknown
12. Prachi Khetani – 30
13. Mannisha – 47
14. Priti – 41