Thane (Maharashtra), Oct 18 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Sunday announced a Rs.200,000 compensation to the kin of each of six firemen, who lost their lives while on duty in Thane.

The six firemen working with the Thane fire service died from suffocation after getting stuck in a lift in a housing complex where they had gone to put out a blaze.

According to reports, the fire brigade had received a call about a fire in a house on the 14th floor of Punarvasu building around 11.30 pm last night. The firemen were immediately rushed to the spot, who did put out the blaze and returned back to their station.

But, they were called once again at about 3.30 a.m, and when they took the lift, it failed and got stuck in between.

All efforts to rescue them failed and they were suffocated to death, a source said.

Meanwhile, an official said that the reason behind the lift getting stuck was being ascertained. (ANI)