25 March,2011 06:23 AM IST | | Poornima Swaminathan
Celebrations by the Bohri Muslim community to usher in the hundredth birth anniversary of their religious leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb were marred when a fire broke out near Bohra Mosque on Bandra Bazaar Road late last night.
Hundreds of people had gathered at the mosque on the eve of the Syedna's centennial.
Firemen douse the last cinders after a breakaway ember from celebratory fireworks on Syedna's centennial accidentally set aflame a building next to Bohra Mosque in Bandra late last night
According to witnesses, as part of the commemoration, firecrackers were lit around 10.30 pm yesterday outside the mosque.
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Since an old building with wooden steps stood adjacent to the mosque, a cinder escaped and caught on to the wood, sparking off a blaze.
Three fire engines and five water tankers were rushed to the spot. After an hour, officials finally managed to control the fire. It was completely doused by around 12.15 am.
"All of us had gathered in the evening to offer prayers and celebrate the birthday of our spiritual leader.
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Unexpectedly, a spark from the firecrackers resulted in a full blown fire," said Yusuf Kapadia, who lives in the area and helped rescue workers extinguish the blaze.
Fire officials said they managed to get the fire under control and avert any casualties.
The Bandra police rushed to the spot and were busy managing the crowd. The police, prima facie, have ruled out mischief and are investigating the cause of the fire.
"No one has been injured. We do not suspect any foul play and will enquire further into the cause of the fire," said a police official.
