Andheri scrap godown fire kills 2, four hurt with 80% burns in Mumbai
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Two people were killed and four others suffered burn injuries — one critically, with 80 per cent burns — after a fire tore through a scrap godown at Abdul Rashid Compound in Saki Naka, Andheri East, Mumbai, on Tuesday evening. The Mumbai Fire Brigade received the emergency call at 6.18 pm and classified the blaze as a Level-II fire shortly after arriving at the site.
How the Fire Unfolded
Officials said the flames spread rapidly, fuelled by the large volume of scrap material stored at the godown, which caused the fire to intensify within minutes. The nature of the stored material also complicated firefighting operations, posing significant challenges for personnel attempting to control the blaze. After sustained efforts, the fire brigade eventually managed to bring it under control.
'Extinguishing the fire was also challenging, but it was eventually brought under control,' a senior officer of the Mumbai Fire Brigade said, adding that preliminary investigations had so far been unable to establish the exact cause or point of origin of the fire.
Victims and Condition of the Injured
The four injured have been identified as Taufiq Shadil Qureshi, 20, who sustained 80 per cent burns and is in critical condition; Jahid Abidulla Qureshi, 20, and Kamal Jalauddin Shah, 47, who each suffered 40 per cent burns and are in serious condition; and Lalchand Ramlakhan Gautam, 40, who sustained 10 per cent burns and is reported to be stable.
All four were admitted to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital, where Taufiq and the two patients with 40 per cent burns have been placed in the trauma ward for close monitoring. Doctors said Lalchand Ramlakhan Gautam would remain under observation before being considered for discharge, depending on his recovery. The identities of the two deceased have not yet been established, according to officials.
Cause of Fire Remains Unclear
A senior Mumbai Fire Brigade officer said the circumstances surrounding the blaze remained unclear, with the scale and nature of the incident making it difficult to determine its cause at this stage. The police and fire brigade are continuing to examine the site. This is not an isolated incident — scrap godowns and warehouses in the densely packed industrial pockets of Andheri East have been prone to fires in the past, with flammable scrap materials and cramped storage conditions frequently flagged by fire safety inspectors as high-risk.
Investigation and Next Steps
Police and fire brigade officials are conducting a joint inquiry into the origin and spread of the fire. A detailed forensic examination of the godown is expected once the site is deemed safe for inspection. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.