Mumbai, Jan 27 (NationPress) A fire incident triggered by a gas cylinder explosion in the Malad region of Mumbai resulted in burn injuries to at least seven individuals on Tuesday morning, according to officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) disaster management team.

The event transpired at a chawl situated at Malvani Gate No. 8, adjacent to A.C. Masjid and near Bharat Mata School in Malad West. The blast was reported around 9:25 a.m. The BMC’s Mumbai Fire Brigade was promptly alerted about the explosion and dispatched emergency responders to the scene.

Initial investigations suggest that the blast was caused by a gas cylinder explosion due to a gas leak within the chawl. The explosion's force was significant enough to cause the first-floor slab to collapse, resulting in occupants falling into the ground-floor unit below. Numerous residents sustained burn injuries and were assisted by local bystanders along with emergency personnel.

According to officials, the fire was confined to the main valve of the gas cylinder, a gas stove, an LPG cylinder, AC sheets, and personal belongings, including food items and a mattress, in a room on the first floor of the three-story building. Firefighters acted promptly to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

A total of seven individuals were reported injured in the incident. Four were transported to Aadhar Hospital, while three were taken to Care Hospital for medical attention. Their conditions are under close observation by medical staff, officials stated.

Multiple agencies were deployed in response to the incident, including the BMC’s Mumbai Fire Brigade, local police, personnel from the relevant electricity distribution company, 108 ambulance services, and BMC ward staff. The power supply to the affected area was temporarily suspended as a safety measure during the rescue operations.

In a separate event, five people, including three women, were injured when a helium gas cylinder used for balloon inflation exploded in Malegaon town in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Monday morning, as reported by police. Four of the injured individuals were said to be in critical condition.

The explosion occurred near College Stop in the Malegaon Camp area around 10:10 a.m. when a vendor was filling balloons with gas. The injured were initially taken to a local private hospital in Malegaon and later transferred to Nashik for advanced medical treatment.

The balloon seller, identified as Mohammed Sadiq Makbool Ahmed (33), a resident of the area, was apprehended, according to a police representative. A case has been filed against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 125, 287, and 288, along with provisions of the Explosives Act, at the Malegaon Camp police station.

Experts have highlighted that gas cylinder explosions are often attributed to gas leaks. Such leaks may arise from faulty valves, loose pipe fittings, cracked hoses, or damaged regulators. Accumulated gas can ignite from even the slightest spark, leading to catastrophic explosions. Authorities have urged citizens to regularly inspect gas fittings and adhere to safety protocols to avoid similar incidents.