Fire breaks out near Bandra station, 5 injured as cylinders explode: Latest developments

A massive fire, which broke out in the Behrampada-Garibnagar slum area near the Bandra railway station in Mumbai, had been brought under control, a fire brigade official told PTI. The incident forced railway authorities to halt train services on the harbour line as a precautionary measure. 

The fire broke out at around 4.20 pm  on Thursday when Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials were carrying out a demolition drive outside the busy station. "Our control room got a call at 4.24 pm and fire brigade personnel along with 16 fire engines and 10 water tankers have been pressed into service," the official told PTI.

According to the BMC Disaster Control, 16 fire tenders and 17 water tankers were rushed to the spot of the blaze to douse the flames. The fire was brought under control at 7.20pm, according to Hindustan Times. 

The authorities blocked commuters from using the skywalk near the station, while a massive traffic jam was witnessed on the Western Express Highway, IANS reported.

Here are the developments so far:

1. Five injured: One fire fighter and four local residents were injured in the incident, according to NDTV. Both were taken to a hospital and are now out of danger.

2. Damages: The hawkers and slum-dwellers bore most of the brunt, losing their belongings to the fire. "Some furniture and windows of the booking office at the south side FOB at the Bandra station got damaged due to the fire from the nearby slums... No casualty to railway staffers or passengers was reported," a statement from the Western Railway said. 

3. Cause: According to PTI, prima facie, it appeared that an explosion of gas cylinders, while the civic body officials were demolishing the encroachments in the congested area, led to the fire but the exact reason and extent of property loss would be known only after a detailed inquiry, officials said.

4. Bridge in flames: The overhead pedestrian bridge at the Bandra station, one of Mumbai's busiest, was engulfed in flames at rush hour after a fire erupted in a slum nearby, NDTV reported. A part of the sky-walk near the eastern exit of the large station collapsed after it caught fire. The western entrance was kept functional. Security personnel were posted at the station to prevent large crowds from gathering to prevent a stampede. 

5. Residents complain: Several residents complained the civic officials didn’t stop the demolition, even though they sought time to shift their belongings such as electrical appliances, jewellery and cash, according to HT. Last month, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave his nod to the BMC’s plan to build a 39-km cycling and jogging track along the Tansa pipeline.