Mumbai: A tragic fire at a chawl in Mumbai’s Cuffe Parade area early Monday morning claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy and injured three others. The blaze, believed to have started due to an electrical fault or malfunctioning electric vehicle (EV) batteries, broke out in a small area but proved fatal.
Fire Breaks Out in Early Hours
The fire erupted around 4:15 am at a single-storey chawl located in Shivshakti Nagar on Captain Prakash Pethe Marg, Cuffe Parade, South Mumbai. According to fire department and civic officials, the fire was confined to a 10×10 ft area on the first floor and involved electric wiring, three electric vehicle batteries, and some household items.
Jaisalmer Bus Fire: 20 dead, PM Modi announces ex-gratia; Full details here
A fire engine was promptly dispatched to the site, and firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze within 20 minutes, by 4:35 am, preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.
Casualties and Hospitalisation
Four people were affected by the fire and rushed to St George’s Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, Yash Vitthal Khot, a 15-year-old boy, was declared dead on arrival.
The injured individuals include:
Devendra Choudhary, 30, currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to serious injuries.
Viraj Khot, 13, reported to be in stable condition.
Sangram Kurne, 25, also stable and receiving medical care.
Officials confirmed that timely medical intervention was critical in saving the lives of the three injured.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary assessments suggest that an electrical short circuit or a malfunction in the electric vehicle batteries could have sparked the fire. However, the investigation is ongoing to determine the definitive cause.
The fire was contained swiftly due to the quick response of the fire brigade, which helped minimize damage to the building and surrounding areas.
Rajasthan: High Court, amid hospital fire, asks why accidents are happening in govt buildings?
Safety Concerns in Mumbai Chawls
Incidents like this raise concerns over fire safety measures in chawls and older residential buildings, many of which are densely populated and have outdated electrical systems. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution, especially with the increasing use of electric vehicles and batteries, which require proper charging and storage protocols.
The Mumbai fire department has announced plans to intensify safety inspections in similar localities to prevent such tragedies in the future.