Mumbai: 2 dead after massive fire engulfs hutments in suburban Kandivli

A major fire broke out in a godown in Kandivali East in Mumbai. Two people have died, including a child, in a massive fire that erupted in suburban Kandivli on Monday afternoon after a series of gas cylinders exploded in a godown. The child, reportedly under 10 years, was declared dead on arrival by the medical staff in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Shatabdi Hospital. 

According to the Disaster Management Cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) the inferno broke out at around 11:30 am, in the dense hutment area of Damu Nagar on northern Mumbai.

Around 16 fire engines, including seven jumbo tankers, were pressed into action along with 11 ambulances and two emergency medical service units. The fire was near a residential area and has been classed as a Category 2 fire. A Category 2 fire is one in which at least 15 fire tenders have to be brought to the rescue. Six people, with 30% fire burns, were rushed to the civic-run Shatabdi Hospital. Around 700 slum houses were destroyed. 

Huge plumes of smoke can be seen rising from the building that houses the godown. The building is close to the Western Express Highway.

The slum fire has been successfully doused. Ppl on the street told me that many burnt alive, many more casualties. pic.twitter.com/587Ti0ugLr

— Mihir Bijur (@MihirBijur) December 7, 2015

Wild fire in the slums near damu nagar, Kandivali east. Heard atleast 14 explosions (probably cylinders) in 20 mins. pic.twitter.com/20doowMp9t

— Mihir Bijur (@MihirBijur) December 7, 2015

As per the fire brigade officer, from the location, a series of 20-25 explosions due to blasting cylinders contributed to the fire, which soon spread across the area. "The area is an uphill colony with narrow lanes. Fire tenders could not reach the blast site, due to the congestion from the hutments and rooms constructed," the officer added.

"People have been rescued and been relocated to a nearby BMC garden. Emergency services have also activated their station there," a police officer said.

Streets are full of people from the slums running with whatever they could grab. Very sad situation. I hope there aren't any casualties

— Mihir Bijur (@MihirBijur) December 7, 2015

There are people outside crying, helpless and clueless saying a lot of people burnt alive in the fire. This is extremely depressing...

— Mihir Bijur (@MihirBijur) December 7, 2015

Traffic jam has been reported from the area, with fire tenders and other emergency vehicles parked in the narrow lanes leading to the location.