Breaking News: Massive blaze engulfs dyeing factory in Bhiwandi; fire crews battle for hours

A major fire ripped through a three-storey dyeing factory in Bhiwandi’s MIDC area on Thursday morning, sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting a large-scale emergency response. The first call to authorities came at around 9:15 a.m., after workers and neighbours spotted flames and reported the blaze. The building, used for textile dyeing and reported to contain large quantities of flammable material was quickly engulfed, with fire licking out of windows across multiple floors. Fire engines were dispatched from Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivli and Thane fire stations; additional units from nearby industrial complexes were also mobilised. Firefighters carried out sustained water and cooling operations for over an hour, and police assisted with cordoning off the area and evacuating nearby units and warehouses to prevent the spread of fire. Authorities say large portions of the factory have been badly damaged; preliminary reports indicate significant property loss but, so far, no confirmed fatalities. Officials stressed that containment and cooling operations will continue until the risk of re-ignition is eliminated. An inquiry has been launched to determine the exact cause of the blaze; investigators will examine whether an electrical short circuit or chemical ignition in the dyeing unit triggered the conflagration. Local industrial authorities are coordinating relief and safety measures for neighbouring units.