Huge Fire engulfs stage of “Make in India” programme in Mumbai
Mumbai
A huge fire on Sunday engulfed the venue of a cultural event in Mumbai that was being held at the opening of a “Make in India” week launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drum up foreign investment.
Television pictures showed fire breaking out at the front of the outdoor stage during a performance by dancers. It quickly spread, fanned by high winds, licking the sides of a scaffolding rig and lighting up the night sky.
Thousands of spectators, among them dignitaries including the chief minister and Governor of the host state of Maharashtra, were evacuated safely.
The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known. However, a short circuit is suspected for the cause of the inferno. The entire stage is reportedly gutted by the fire. The inferno broke out when the artists were performing on stage. According to latest reports, the fire has been brought under control and no casualties have been reported so far.
“A comprehensive enquiry into the incident of fire will be conducted to ascertain the reason,” Fadnavis said, adding “No one is hurt and all the performers and audience have been safely evacuated.”
Other famous people who were present at the event included actors Hema Malini, Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif, Udhav Thakrey and his family, among others.
The fire is likely to overshadow the message that India is open for business that Modi wanted to send when he opened the investor jamboree on Saturday.
