Mumbai Shop Blaze Leaves Victims With Severe, Life-Threatening Burns
Seven injured in devastating fire from cylinder explosion.
A catastrophic gas cylinder explosion triggered a raging fire in a small shop at Ram Kisan Mestri Chawl, near Akurli Maintenance Chowki on Military Road in Kandivali (East), Mumbai, on Wednesday morning, leaving seven people with severe burn injuries. The blaze, which erupted at 9:05 AM, sent shockwaves through the local community, with three victims suffering life-threatening burns covering up to 90% of their bodies.
According to civic officials, the fire was confined to the single-storey shop’s electrical wiring, installations, edible goods, LPG cylinder, and gas stove. The explosion’s intensity caused immediate chaos, engulfing the shop in flames and injuring six women and one man. Emergency responders acted swiftly, deploying four fire engines and additional fire brigade vehicles to the scene, extinguishing the blaze by 9:33 AM.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent care. Raksha Joshi (47), Durga Gupta (30), and Poonam (28) sustained critical burns ranging from 85% to 90% and were initially admitted to BDBA Hospital before being transferred to Kasturba Hospital for specialized treatment. Nitu Gupta (31), with 80% burns, Janaki Gupta (39) and Shivani Gandhi (51), both with 70% burns, and Manaram Kumacat (55), with 40% burns, were admitted to ESIC Hospital for medical attention.
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Fire brigade officials confirmed the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder, though the exact trigger remains under investigation. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of LPG usage in small commercial establishments, prompting local authorities to consider stricter regulations. Residents in the densely populated area expressed shock, with many calling for enhanced safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The injured victims are fighting for their lives, and medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilize them. This devastating incident underscores the dangers of gas cylinder mishandling and has left the Kandivali community reeling, with authorities now investigating to ensure accountability and prevent future disasters.
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