At least 21 persons were inside the shop when the blaze erupted, he said, adding nine of them managed to escape, whereas 12 persons got trapped on the loft inside due to intense heat and smoke, he said.
The fire spread quickly due to the presence of electric wiring and electrical goods, huge stock of eatables and furniture inside the shop, the official said.
All the 12 workers were pulled out of the debris by fire brigade personnel and taken to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital in suburban Ghatkopar where they were declared dead before admission, a civic official said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-10) Navinchandra Reddy told PTI that prima facie the fire started from the electrical switchboard and it spread in the shop following which there was an LPG gas cylinder blast.
Police have called forensic science experts to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.
“We are also waiting for fire brigade report in this case. However, the procedure of registering an offense has been initiated. After inquiry we will register an offense against those who are responsible for the tragedy,” another police official said.
Of the 12 deceased, the identity of 10 has been ascertained so far, the officer said, adding the injured has been admitted to the Rajawadi hospital.
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