Maharashtra: Over 800 Huts In Mumbai Slum Gutted In Fire, One Dead

Two fires gutted 800-1,000 huts in a slum in the Malad area of Maharashtra's Mumbai. At least one death was reported in the fires.

Black smoke envelopes the Malad area in Mumbai as the fire rages in a slum. ( Image Source :ANI )

Over 800 huts were gutted in two fire incidents in a slum in the Malad area of Mumbai, Masharashtra, on Monday.

One of the fires has been classified as level-3, and smoke is visible in both the Anand Nagar and Appa Pada areas. The initial call reporting the fire in Anand Nagar came in at approximately 4:52 pm, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) designated it as level 1, which was later raised to level 2.

To contain the blaze, fire tenders, jumbo water tankers, and other equipment have been dispatched. An ambulance has been stationed at the scene, but the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

According to BMC, there have been explosions in 15-20 LPG cylinders, and ten lines of twelve motor pumps are currently in operation. Additionally, a body was discovered and transported to the hospital.

Vinod Mishra, a former BJP corporator from Malad, stated that he was informed about the blaze and immediately went to the site. He urged the authorities to extinguish the fire as soon as possible. Senior municipal officials present at the scene stated that the entire slum was located on forest land, and hence it was an unauthorized settlement.

Earlier in the day, a level-three fire broke out at a furniture warehouse on Relief Road in Jogeshwari (West) around 11 am, and the cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The area was shrouded in thick smoke.

Firefighters called for eight fire brigade vehicles to control the fumes, and at least 12 fire tenders were dispatched to extinguish the flames. Officials stated that there were no reports of people being trapped.

Retailers and factory owners in the area reported significant losses, which could amount to crores, due to the delayed arrival of the fire tenders. They have appealed to the government for assistance.

As soon as the fire got out of control, local residents alerted the police, local body officials, and fire brigade officials.