A major explosion caused by accumulated gas ripped through a chawl in Mumbai's Andheri East on Sunday morning, leaving three residents with severe burn injuries. One of the victims, a 50-year-old woman, suffered catastrophic burns covering over 95 percent of her body.
Morning Routine Turns into Tragedy
The incident occurred at approximately 7:15 am in the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar chawl located in Vijay Nagar. According to officials, the explosion was triggered when a woman attempted to light her gas stove to begin cooking. Unbeknownst to her, a significant gas leak had caused the flammable substance to accumulate in the confined space of the ground-plus-one structure.
The resulting blast was powerful, causing damage beyond the immediate area. The force of the explosion even damaged the door of a neighboring room, highlighting the intensity of the incident. The fire that followed the blast was confined to the contents of room number 10 on the first floor, including electric wiring, installations, clothing, and mattresses.
Victims Rushed for Medical Help
Showing swift community response, local residents rushed the three injured individuals to Cooper Hospital for initial treatment even before fire officials arrived at the scene. Subsequently, all three patients were transferred to Kasturba Hospital for specialized burn care and further treatment.
The identities and extent of injuries of the victims have been confirmed:
- Veena Bhoite (50): Sustained devastating burns estimated between 95 to 98 percent across her entire body.
- Lakshmi Sakpal (70): Suffered burn injuries on 30-32 percent of her body.
- Namdev Sakpal (75): Received burns covering 20-25 percent of his body.
All three remain admitted at Kasturba Hospital, where the condition of Veena Bhoite is reported to be extremely critical.
Safety Concerns in Dense Habitations
This tragic event underscores the persistent risks associated with gas leak accidents in densely populated urban settlements like chawls. The rapid accumulation of gas in poorly ventilated, compact living spaces can lead to catastrophic consequences from a single spark. The incident has drawn attention to the need for regular safety checks of gas connections and increased public awareness about handling suspected leaks, especially in older housing structures common in many parts of Mumbai.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and fire department officials are investigating the exact cause of the initial leak. The community in Andheri East has been left shaken by the morning's events, which transformed a routine domestic activity into a life-altering disaster for three families.
