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One of the city's most loved landmarks, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, was severely damaged when a major fire engulfed the famous 'members' enclosure' building on Thursday evening.
The third floor of the building was gutted in the fire that started at 8.15 pm, fire brigade officials said.
The reason for the fire was not known at the time of going to press and would be clear once investigations are complete, fire brigade officials said, adding however that prima facie it seemed to a case of short circuit.
Nobody was hurt as the building was empty because of the monsoons, a time when no races take place. The finishing line for the races is situated bang opposite the members’ enclosure and serves as a great vantage point for the who’s who of Mumbai society when they are witnessing close
finishes.
An employee of the racecource first noticed the fire and quickly informed the fire brigade. Five fire engines and three water tankers reached the spot in 15 minutes and immediately began dousing the blaze. As the news spread, TV crews and police vans swarmed the area even as spectators started pouring in. TV sets installed in the gallery could be heard exploding as the fire spread. Gutted portions of the roof fell even as the police were busy barricading the area.
The fire brigade however stopped the fire from spreading to the lower floors and were on the verge of extinguishing it late night. The total losses are being pegged at Rs 10 crore.
The building, the interiors of which are made entirely of wood, also has two lounges on the second floor -- one owned by Dr Vijay Mallya and the other by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, currently chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC).
Dr Poonawalla told this paper from Pune, "It is very sad that an entire floor has been gutted. I hope the fire personnel are successful in preventing further damage. Once the fire is extinguished, we will decide on holding an emergency meeting."
Members of RWITC too expressed concern. Champak Zaveri, a member who reached the racecourse premises soon as he heard of the fire, said a short circuit seemed to be the reason behind it.
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One of the city's most loved landmarks, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, was severely damaged when a major fire engulfed the famous 'members' enclosure' building on Thursday evening.
The third floor of the building was gutted in the fire that started at 8.15 pm, fire brigade officials said.
The reason for the fire was not known at the time of going to press and would be clear once investigations are complete, fire brigade officials said, adding however that prima facie it seemed to a case of short circuit.
Nobody was hurt as the building was empty because of the monsoons, a time when no races take place. The finishing line for the races is situated bang opposite the members’ enclosure and serves as a great vantage point for the who’s who of Mumbai society when they are witnessing close
finishes.
An employee of the racecource first noticed the fire and quickly informed the fire brigade. Five fire engines and three water tankers reached the spot in 15 minutes and immediately began dousing the blaze. As the news spread, TV crews and police vans swarmed the area even as spectators started pouring in. TV sets installed in the gallery could be heard exploding as the fire spread. Gutted portions of the roof fell even as the police were busy barricading the area.
The fire brigade however stopped the fire from spreading to the lower floors and were on the verge of extinguishing it late night. The total losses are being pegged at Rs 10 crore.
The building, the interiors of which are made entirely of wood, also has two lounges on the second floor -- one owned by Dr Vijay Mallya and the other by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, currently chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC).
Dr Poonawalla told this paper from Pune, "It is very sad that an entire floor has been gutted. I hope the fire personnel are successful in preventing further damage. Once the fire is extinguished, we will decide on holding an emergency meeting."
Members of RWITC too expressed concern. Champak Zaveri, a member who reached the racecourse premises soon as he heard of the fire, said a short circuit seemed to be the reason behind it.
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