"The disaster management control room was alerted by PTI about the fire," said a report issued by the BMC disaster management cell today.
Senior PTI journalist Dnyanesh Chavan was tipped off about the fire by a source shortly after midnight and contacted the control room to get details, unaware that he was the first bearer of tragic news.
The Kamala Mills compound in central Mumbai's Lower Parel area where the blaze occurred is a refurbished industrial compound, housing swanky restaurants and other commercial establishments.
Several media outlets, including TV news channels Times Now, ET Now and TV9 Marathi, have offices in the complex.
There have been allegations that civic authorities have turned a blind eye to construction irregularities and violation of fire safety norms in the compound.