Major blaze breaks out on Akurli Road in Damunagar area in suburban Kandivli; local residents claim that the inferno occurred due to a series of cylinder explosions. We have pictures and video
A massive fire broke out on Monday at a slum in Mumbai's northern suburb of Kandivli killing one person and leaving several others injured.
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According to fire brigade officials, the incident took place around 10.30 am at the congested and densely populated Damu Nagar slums near Mahindra and Mahindra company's gate number 5 at Akurli Road in Kandivli East. The place is said to house a godown of various items.
The fire allegedly spread due to the plastic sheds and multiple cylinder blasts near the vicinity of the wher the fire started. Over 1200 houses were burnt.
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Meanwhile, police cordoned off the area and were trying to verify the claims of the locals.
"Our primary job is to douse the fire with minimal impact and it will take sometime to ascertain the details and the cause of the blaze," he said.
While the fire officials are still checking the source of fire, the residents of the colony said that the fire spread due to the multiple cylinder blasts that took place simulteneously. According to fire officials one casualty has been reported in the incidents while several other people were rushed to the hospital due to smoke inhalation and burn injuries.
Fire officials from all the nearby fire brigade centres reached the spot allegedly after an hour of the incident took over four hours to douse the fire completely. As many as ten fire engines and as many tankers were pushed into service.
"Our department received a call at about 12.33 PM and another message at about 12.51 PM about the fire. Immediately 16 fire engines, 12 water tankers, five fire brigade officials along with other jawans were rushed to the spot to douse the flames," Deputy Chief Fire Official P S Rahangdale said.
Youngsters of nearby colonies teamed up with police officials and NCC cadets of nearby colleges to create human chains to rescue the residents who panicked.
(With inputs from Agencies)
(Pics courtesy: mid-day readers)