Major fire razes 15 godowns near Mumbai; no casualties

The cause of the fire is yet to be established.

A major fire broke out in Bhiwandi, around 30km from Mumbai, early on Wednesday, gutting 15 scrap godowns and six shanties.

The reason for the fire is unknown. (Praful Gangurde/HT Photo)

Five fire tenders from Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar and Kalyan, along with ambulances rushed to the spot.

No casualties or injuries have been reported.

Six shanties were also gutted in the fire at Bhiwandi. (Praful Gangurde/HT Photo)

According to the Shantinagar police, the control room got a call during early morning hours about a fire at Gayatri Nagar in Bhiwandi.

“We rushed to the spot and took the residents to a safe place,” said a police officer from Thane Commissionerate.

Twenty-year-old, Nagir Ali, a rickshaw driver from Gayatri Nagar said, “I suspect the fire started because of a short circuit. The fire officials reached an hour later, which led the fire to spread from godowns to shanties. We lost our home. The authorities ought to look into this and provide help.”

The godown owners were alerted soon after the incident.

A fire official from Bhiwandi said, “The fire has been brought under control and the cooling process is on. Our officials have taken samples of the spot. The reason for the fire is still unclear and the report will be submitted to the police station within three-four days.”