Mumbai: Nine injured in Chembur blaze, 5 critical

Fire personnel present at the spot trying to douse fire. Pic/X

A fire broke out at Siddharth Colony in Chembur East, causing injuries to nine people of which five are in critical condition. There were no reported fatalities. The blaze was caused by a leaking gas cylinder in a household providing tiffin service.

An officer from Chembur fire station told mid-day, "The family had prepared for the morning with all supplies ready and went to sleep. Around 11.40 pm on Thursday, one of them smelled gas, which had already spread in the room. To investigate, where the smell was coming from, he switched on the light. This triggered a spark as electric switches usually generate a small spark not visible to the human eye when they are flipped. This caused the fire."

According to the officer, the house is a ground-plus-one structure. Eight people were rescued with various levels of burns injuries and are being treated at hospitals in the vicinity. "A neighbour, Sandip Jadhav who had rushed to their rescue also got injured after he got hit by a piece of cement sheet. He sustained head injuries and was discharged after treatment," the officer said.

Dr Bharti Rajuwala, Medical superintendent of Rajawadi Hospital said, "Six individuals with burns were admitted to the hospital. One of them with minor burns (2 per cent) was discharged on Friday while two of the five who were critical were shifted to KEM hospital. The five were brought in with burns categorised between 50-60 per cent."

A neighbour requesting anonymity said, "We have been neighbours with the Gaikwad family for quite some time. They are always ready to help others. They would cook and supply tiffins. What happened is tragic."

11.40 pm
Time on Monday the fire broke out