Thousands evacuated from Mumbai government building fire

Thousands of employees were evacuated from a seven-story government building in Mumbai as more than two dozen fire engines battled a major fire that raged for several hours.

Fourteen people were injured, and 10 of them were taken to hospital, said an official. One person was in critical condition.

Television images showed some people being taken on stretchers as the blaze and the billowing smoke engulfed the Maharashtra state government headquarters from the fourth floor upward. A strong sea breeze fanned the fire, which could be seen for miles.

Firefighters used hydraulic platforms to evacuate trapped people, and two navy helicopters hovered over the building to pick up people from the rooftop.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Some witnesses complained that the firefighters took almost half an hour to reach the site.