A massive fire broke out in a slum area in Maharashtra's Thane district, which borders Mumbai, in the early hours of Wednesday (February), killing one person and injuring several others. The fire began around 4.30 AM in the Azad Nagar area of Bhayandat East and quickly spread through the narrow alleys, engulfing several huts and shops. The blaze now has been brought under control.
Prakash Gaikwad, DCP told news agency ANI, "Around 4:30 am a fire broke out in the Azad Nagar area. The fire started from the waste that was dumped nearby. Fire has been brought under control in 1-2 hours, it will be doused completely. One person has died, 2 Mahanagar Palika Fire Brigade personnel and other 2-3 people have suffered injuries".
According to a PTI report, as many as 24 fire engines from MBMC and other neighbouring civic bodies were rushed to the spot to bring down the blaze.
The report further said that a charred body was found at the site and sent for post-mortem to a government hospital.
"We have got to know that two children have been injured and admitted to hospital. One of our jawans has also been injured," MBMC's disaster management cell chief Narendra Chavan told PTI.
It is to be noted that many commercial establishments are located in the slum colony.