The internal fire-fighting system of the Andheri high-rise, where a blaze erupted early on Wednesday, wasn’t in a working condition, officials from the fire brigade said. The fire broke out around 1.30 am in the common passageway on the 24th floor of 28-storey Shivshakti tower, at the Lokhandwala Complex. A few people faced suffocation while escaping and were hospitalised, said BMC officials.

Four fire engines and five jumbo tankers were rushed to the spot. Though it was a Level 1 (small scale) fire, it took more than two hours to contain it, said officials. The fire was confined to electric cables in the passageway, they added. People on the higher floors were stuck. A resident, Rahul, tweeted for help around 2 am, saying, “Brigade arrived but we are stuck on the 24th floor waiting for an update on what to do. Passage is full of smoke. Don’t know what to do (sic).”