A fire broke out on Friday morning in Sector 20 at Nerul when the counting of votes for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Elections was underway nearby. The incident occurred in a slum cluster at Nerul village, barely a kilometre away from the counting centre.

According to initial reports, four to five domestic gas cylinders exploded in quick succession, triggering a massive blaze that gutted at least six to seven huts within minutes. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the area, causing panic among residents and commuters in the vicinity.