Seven people sustained serious burn injuries after a fire broke out at a densely populated residential chawl in the Kandivali (East) area of Mumbai Wednesday.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s Disaster Management Cell, the blaze broke out around 9.05 am in a shop located on the ground floor of the ground-plus-one-storied structure.
The seven people who were injured have been identified as Shivani Gandhi (51), Nitu Gupta (31), Janaki Gupta (39), Manaram Kumacat (55), Raksha Joshi (47), Durga Gupta (30), and Poonam (28). Out of these seven people, Raksha Joshi, Durga Gupta, and Poonam had sustained burn injuries between 85 and 90 per cent, and the rest of the victims sustained injuries between 70 and 80 per cent.
“The victims are residents living in nearby chawl areas. After the blaze broke out inside the shop, the fire spread, resulting in injuries to the victims around the perimeter. The fire brigade responded immediately, and the blaze was extinguished within 20 minutes,” a fire brigade official told the Indian Express.
The official said that although the actual cause of the blaze has yet to be determined, preliminary evidence suggests that the fire originated from an electric wire or installation.
“The blaze remained confined within the electrical installations space and kitchen area, comprising items like edibles, LPG cylinders and gas cylinders. Before the flames could spread to a larger area, they were brought under control,” the official added.
Following the fire, civic authorities transported the seven victims to the ESCI and BDBA Hospitals in Mumbai, after which they were shifted to Kasturba Hospital for further treatment and they are under observation.
