A tragic fire at a chawl in Mumbai's Andheri East area has resulted in the death of a 45-year-old woman, with two other residents fighting for their lives in critical condition, according to civic officials.
Details of the Andheri East Chawl Fire
The fire broke out in the early hours of December 21 at the Vijay Nagar, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar Chawl located in Andheri East. The fire brigade was alerted about the blaze at approximately 7:16 am. Officials confirmed that the fire was contained to Room No. 10 on the first floor of a ground-plus-one structure.
The flames primarily affected electric wiring, electrical installations, clothes, and mattresses within the room. Firefighters acted swiftly and managed to bring the situation under control within thirty minutes. The fire was fully extinguished by 7:44 am.
Victims and Hospitalization
The incident later turned fatal for Veena Pradip Bhoite, aged 45. She was rushed to Kasturba Hospital for treatment following the fire. Sadly, the hospital authorities declared her dead at 10:03 pm on December 24.
Two other residents of the chawl, Namdeo Sakpal and Laxmi Sakpal, sustained serious injuries in the incident. Both are currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kasturba Hospital. Officials stated that their condition remains critical, and they are dependent on oxygen support.
Aftermath and Safety Concerns
This unfortunate event highlights the persistent fire safety risks in densely populated chawl settlements in Mumbai. The rapid response by the fire brigade prevented a larger catastrophe, but the loss of life underscores the vulnerability of such housing structures.
The cause of the fire, while confined to electrical items, points towards the need for regular checks of wiring and electrical installations, especially in older buildings. The community is left mourning the loss while hoping for the recovery of the two critically injured individuals.
