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Fire engulfs 13-storey Ulwe building; 30 residents evacuated, pets rescued
A massive fire broke out in a 13-storey residential building in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, on May 9, 2026. Firefighters evacuated about 30 residents and rescued four cats and five dogs as flames and smoke spread through the structure; investigators later considered a short circuit as a possible cause.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the fire risks in high-rise housing and the importance of rapid evacuation and animal rescue in urban settings.
Timeline
5 Events
Fire department cites possible short circuit; investigation planned
May 10, 2026
The fire department stated a suspected short circuit in the electrical system may have caused the fire, with a detailed investigation to be conducted to determine the exact cause.
Rescue operations complete; cooling underway
May 9, 2026
Firefighters completed rescue operations by 4:30 PM. Cooling operations continued for another 30 minutes.
Additional fire units called in as flames persisted
May 9, 2026
When the flames refused to be tamed, rescue teams sought further support from nearby fire stations to intensify firefighting efforts.
Power supply disconnected; firefighters commence firefighting
May 9, 2026
Fire personnel disconnected the building’s power supply before starting firefighting operations. They entered the structure equipped with breathing apparatus and began dousing the flames using hose reel lines.
Fire breaks out in Hi-Tech Castle Society, Ulwe; 13-storey building under smoke
May 9, 2026
The fire started at around 3:30 PM in the ground-floor meter room of Hi-Tech Castle Society, Sector 17, Ulwe. Flames were visible up to the fifth floor and 11th floor lift lobbies as smoke filled the building, and residents began evacuating. The incident led to around 30 residents being evacuated, with rescue teams ensuring pets trapped in locked flats were rescued—four cats and five dogs were brought to safety.