Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Fire at Mumbai Income Tax Office Aayakar Bhavan, 28 Rescued
A big office building in Mumbai caught fire on Monday afternoon.
The building is called Aayakar Bhavan, and it is where Income Tax workers do their jobs.
The fire started in the basement, which is the part of the building below the ground.
Smoke spread through the whole building very quickly because of the air-conditioning system.
Many people had to leave the building to stay safe.
Firefighters came with big trucks and ladders to help.
They rescued people from the floors and from the roof.
Most of the people who work there got out without getting hurt.
The fire mostly damaged wires, old papers and stored things in the basement.
Firefighters worked hard to put out the fire and make sure everyone was safe.
A fire broke out in the basement of the seven-storey Income Tax Office building, Aayakar Bhavan, at Churchgate in south Mumbai on Monday afternoon.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade received the initial call at 2.01 pm, declared it a Level-I fire at 2.10 pm, and upgraded it to Level-II around 2.45 pm.
At least 28 people were rescued, including 15 from the first, second and third floors, five to six from the first floor using an Angus ladder, and eight from the terrace.
Around 1,800 employees work in the building, and most of the people inside escaped unhurt, with no injuries or casualties reported.
The fire was confined to electrical wiring, stored records, scrap material, paper stock and wooden partitions over roughly 7,000 to 8,000 sq ft in the basement, and its cause is under inquiry.
- Who
- Income Tax Office employees, Mumbai Fire Brigade personnel, Mumbai Police, BMC officials and other emergency responders
- What
- A fire broke out in the basement of the Income Tax Office building, prompting evacuation and rescue operations
- When
- Monday afternoon, with the initial call received at 2.01 pm
- Where
- Aayakar Bhavan, Maharshi Karve Road, Churchgate, south Mumbai
- Why
- The fire affected electrical wiring, stored records, scrap material, paper stock and wooden partitions in the basement; the cause is under inquiry
- Location
- Aayakar Bhavan, Maharshi Karve Road, Churchgate, south Mumbai
- Building
- Seven-storey Income Tax Office (basement, ground plus six floors)
- Initial call
- 2.01 pm
- Fire level
- Level-I at 2.10 pm, upgraded to Level-II around 2.45 pm
- Employees in building
- Around 1,800
- People rescued
- At least 28
- Fire engines deployed
- At least 8
- Area affected
- Approximately 7,000-8,000 sq ft in basement
