Fire consumes Mumbai's state headquarters, as rescuers work to save those trapped

Rafiq Maqbool / AP

Indian firefighters work to extinguish a fire as smoke billows from the headquarters of the Maharashtra state government in Mumbai, India, on June 21. Hundreds of employees were evacuated Thursday from the seven-story government building as more than two dozen fire engines battled the major fire that raged for more than three hours in India's financial and entertainment capital.

Reuters

People are rescued by firefighters and police officials from the Maharashtra state secretariat building after a fire broke out, in Mumbai on June 21. No casualties have been reported so far, but several people are feared to be still trapped in the building, according to local media reports.

Reuters

A man is rescued by firefighters from the Maharashtra state secretariat building after a fire broke out, in Mumbai on June 21. No casualties have been reported so far, but several people are feared to be still trapped in the building, according to local media reports.

Reuters

A man is rescued by firefighters from the Maharashtra state secretariat building after a fire broke out, in Mumbai June 21. No casualties have been reported so far, but several people are feared to be still trapped in the building, according to local media reports.

Indranil Mukherjee / AFP - Getty Images

Government staff fold the Indian national flag from the top of the burning Mantralaya building, which houses the Maharashtra state secretariat, in Mumbai on June 21. A major fire broke out of the Mantralaya building that houses offices of India's Maharashtra state Chief Minister, key ministers, and top officials, reports said. People were reported trapped in the upper floors of the building, with the fire department, police response teams, and navy pressed into rescue operations.

Indranil Mukherjee / AFP - Getty Images

Firefighters spray jets of water to contain a fire in the burning Mantralaya building, which houses the Maharashtra state secretariat, in Mumbai on June 21. A major fire broke out of the Mantralaya building that houses offices of India's Maharashtra state Chief Minister, key ministers, and top officials, reports said. People were reported trapped in the upper floors of the building, with the fire department, police response teams, and navy pressed into rescue operations.

The Hindustan Times has more information from the scene at the Mumbai Mantralaya.

See more images from India on PhotoBlog.

Discuss this post

Wow, those firefighters are real heroes. Just look at the guy on the frame holding the air conditioner. And I think it shows either great patriotism or silliness to take the time to take down your national flag from a burning building!

    Reply#1 - Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:42 AM EDT

    When they do it they go all the way.

      Reply#2 - Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:48 AM EDT

      A well done, to the rescuers!

        Reply#3 - Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:48 PM EDT
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