Major Fire Breaks Out at ED Office Building in South Mumbai’s Ballard Estate; No Injuries Reported

Mumbai, April 27, 2025 —A major fire broke out early Sunday at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office located in the historic Kaiser-I-Hind building in South Mumbai’s Ballard Estate area, civic officials confirmed. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade received a distress call around 2:31 am, alerting them to the blaze at the multi-storey building located near the Grand Hotel on Currimbhoy Road. Responding swiftly, firefighting teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.

By 3:30 am, the situation had escalated, and the fire was officially classified as a Level II fire — a designation used for major fire incidents requiring significant resources and coordination. According to officials, the fire was confined to the fourth floor of the five-storey building, minimizing further spread and potential damage.

Massive Firefighting Operation Launched

A large contingent of firefighting equipment was mobilized to battle the flames. The response included:

• Eight fire engines
• Six jumbo water tankers
• One aerial water tower tender
• One breathing apparatus van
• One rescue van
• One quick response vehicle
• An ambulance from the 108 emergency service

Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to the upper and lower floors. The fire was brought under control after several hours of intense operations.

Cause of the Fire Under Investigation

As of now, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Officials stated that an investigation is underway to determine what triggered the blaze. Given the sensitive nature of the documents and materials housed within the ED office, a thorough examination will be conducted to assess any potential damage or loss.

Heritage Building Under Spotlight

The Kaiser-I-Hind building, an iconic structure in South Mumbai, stands in the heritage-rich Ballard Estate area. This incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety measures in Mumbai’s historic buildings, many of which are decades old and house key government offices.

No Casualties — A Huge Relief

In a city where high-rise fires often result in tragic losses, the absence of casualties in this major incident has come as a huge relief to authorities and citizens alike. Civic officials praised the quick response of the fire brigade, crediting their prompt action for preventing a potentially catastrophic situation.

Stay tuned for further updates