Mumbai: One dead in Bhayandar fire

1. Firefighters in action dousing the fire. Pics/Hanif Patel

A major fire broke out in a slum in Bhayandar on Wednesday. The blaze reportedly erupted in the Azad Nagar slum area of Bhayandar East in the wee hours, resulting in one confirmed death and five reported injuries.

The deceased individual was identified as Deepak Chaurasiya, 42, who tragically lost his life after being trapped inside a makeshift house. Among the injured are two minors and three officials from the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) fire department, who sustained injuries while carrying out rescue operations. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and an investigation is underway.

2. The Fire Brigade got a distress call at 5.40 am and swung into action

"Three of our men were injured during the rescue operation. This was due to the cylinder, which burst during firefighting. "I was one of the people who pulled out the injured firefighters. Luckily they were not too close during the blast, otherwise, they would not have survived," said a firefighter present at the location.
"Two of the three fire officials injured in firefighting are Shivaji Sawant, 42, who is an equipment operator, and Santosh Patil, 40, who is the leading fireman," revealed Prakash Borade, Chief Fire Officer.

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He added, "We received a distress call around 5.40 am and got into action. The makeshift houses were constructed using plastic sheets, bamboo, and other materials that easily catch fire. Since the houses were very close to each other, it did not take time for the fire to spread."

3. As the houses were close to each other, the fire spread rapidly

An official from the disaster management cell of MBMC revealed, "Two minors were also injured and were rushed to Thunga hospital for immediate medical attention and their condition is stable as of now."

A local residing in a makeshift house that was burned down, said, "The fire started around 5 am. As soon as we heard a blast and smoke started filling the place, I woke up my husband and we rushed out of the settlement with our kid. Our entire house is burned down and we have nowhere to go. We have been living here for more than 15 years. The residents started rushing out, waking up everyone on the way out, which is why people were saved. The fire brigade arrived quickly and their quick response was the reason there were fewer casualties."

Three firemen were injured fighting the blaze

"Several commercial establishments are located in the slums that have come up on government land. Over 50 go-downs and commercial establishments were destroyed in the fire. Fire brigade personnel have managed to contain the blaze" said Sanjay Katkar, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation commissioner who was overseeing the rescue and relief operation.

A total of 24 fire engines were rushed to the location from various neighbouring fire departments including the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC),
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), according to the MBMC Disaster Management Cell.

24
No. of fire tenders used to douse the blaze