07 December,2016 04:30 PM IST | | Aparna Shukla
Around 70 shanties were gutted in a massive fire that broke out in Bandra’s Behrampada slum early this morning. No injuries or casualties were reported
The fire broke out in Behrampada, Bandra East, at around 3.15 am
Around 70 shanties were gutted in a massive fire that broke out in Bandra's Behrampada slum early this morning. No injuries or casualties were reported.
The incident is said to have taken place in Ladkewali Galli around 3.15 am. The cause of the fire is still not known.
The fire brigade immediately arrived at the scene and around 10 water tankers were pressed into service. The fire was contained by 6.30 am. The fire brigade immediately arrived at the scene and around 10 water tankers were pressed into service.
Sohaib Sheikh, who owns a mobile shop in the area said, "I closed my shop around 2.50 am and was walking home when all of a sudden I saw a huge ball of fire in the sky. I ran for my life and saved my family in the nick of time. Thankfully, nobody was injured."
Mohammad Hamid, whose house was engulfed in the fire, said he woke up to the sound of people screaming. "I was asleep when I started hearing noises. I immediately looked out and saw that the house next to me was burning. I just picked up my kids and ran outside," said Hamid, who has lost everything, including his home and important documents, in the fire.
According to the fire brigade, the level 3 fire wasn't huge when it started out, but spread quickly in the interiors of the slum, where houses sit close to each other.
Harish Shetty, assistant fire officer, Bandra, said, "When we reached the site, I made sure we had the biggest trailers just in case the situation escalated. The fire damaged a lot of houses, but the situation could have been worse had the people not cooperated. The youth from the area came forward in large numbers to help out."
