1st LD: Over 150 trapped as major fire breaks out in residential building near Mumbai

Over 150 people are feared trapped as a major fire broke out in a residential building and an adjoining powerloom factory near Mumbai Tuesday, a police official said.

"So far, there have been no reports of any casualty. Some 10 fire tenders are pressed into service to rescue those trapped in the residential building in Bhiwandi," he said, on condition of anonymity.

The fire has spread to the fourth floor of the building and fire fighters are doing their best to douse the blaze, the official said.

However, people have been evacuated safely from the adjoining powerloom unit that also caught fire soon after the inferno in the residential building, he said.

A probe has been ordered into the two fire incidents and senior officials are on the spot to oversee the rescue operations, the official added. Endit