A second major fire in the city was reported on Monday evening in Appa Pada slum cluster at Anand Nagar (Malad east) around 4.50pm on Monday, spreading to around 2,000 huts before being brought under control around 9.35pm. One person was reported dead while a search is underway for those missing.
According to officials, the blaze spread quickly due to LPG cylinders that exploded in the huts. Also, the slum is located on forest land in a hilly area and the Mumbai fire brigade took time to reach the spot.
Meanwhile, locals struggled to save their belongings, with several carrying their gas cylinders away from the blaze to stop it from spreading further. Senior citizens and children were also moved to safer locations.
Former deputy mayor Suhas Wadkar said, “The fire is under control now but there are still small fires at some places in the 10,000 sq m area.”
Kiran Dighavkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of P-North ward, said, “Around 15-20 gas cylinders exploded, causing the fire to spread rapidly. But we managed to stop it from spreading to the remaining 4,000-5,000 huts.
"We have put up a tent on two grounds in the area and have also arranged for food for those affected.”
With inputs from Kalpesh Mahamunkar
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