Building fire kills 6, injures 15 in India

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Camera IconThe fire was caused by a short-circuit in an air conditioner, Mumbai's mayor says. Credit: AP

At least six people have died and another 15 were injured after a major fire in a 19-storey residential building in Mumbai, officials say.

The fire on Saturday in India's financial and entertainment capital was caused by a short-circuit in an air conditioner in one of the apartments, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said.

Residents said the fire started on the 15th floor and a big column of black smoke soon enveloped the building.

More than 90 people escaped the building on their own or were helped by neighbours, they said.

A police spokesman said four of the injured were in a critical condition.

Nearly two dozen fire engines extinguished the blaze after a two-hour effort, media reports said. Firefighters rushed the injured to two nearby hospitals.

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