Fire triggers 7 cylinder blasts, guts 70 huts at Bandra slum

2 kids stuck inside their house rescued; fire officials suspect short circuit started fire

MUMBAI:A major fire broke out at Nargis Dutt Nagar in Bandra (West) on Tuesday morning, which gutted 70 houses. Fire officials said more than seven LPG cylinders exploded as the fire spread. No casualties were reported in the mishap.

The fire brigade called it a level-4 (major) incident. It was brought under control by 1pm and was extinguished by 2.30pm. Fire officials suspect a short circuit started the fire.

Officials from the disaster management cell of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said 10 water tankers and 12 fire engines were rushed to the spot.

Tuesday’s incident occurred a year after a major fire gutted more than 200 houses at Behrampada slums opposite Bandra station (East) during a demolition drive by the BMC in October 2017.

CHILDREN RESCUED

Despite being stuck in their house for more than 30 minutes, none of the two children rescued by the firemen sustained injuries. Saifuddin Rahim, 2, and Umera Rahim, 9, were rushed to Bhabha Hospital.

Firefighters said the parents

were not at home when the house caught fire. It is unclear whether the parents had locked the kids inside the house before leaving.

A senior official from Mumbai fire brigade said, “During firefighting, a few residents told us that two children were stuck in a burning house. We immediately sent a team, with the locals, to locate the house. The children were rescued and rushed to Bhabha Hospital.”

Firefighters also took Sana Shaikh and Asha Gupta to the hospital after they fainted on seeing their houses burning. Their condition is said to be stable.

LOCALS MIFFED

Residents complained the number of fire engines that reached the spot initially were inadequate.

Faisal Khan, 21, whose house was gutted in the fire, said, “I was sleeping when I heard our neighbours screaming. We ran out of

the house with whatever belongings we could carry. Initially, only two to three fire engines reached the spot despite fire station being so close.”

Ashish Shelar, MLA and president of BJP’S Mumbai unit, suspected foul play and has demanded an inquiry.