Cylinder Leak Triggers Fire in Kandivli Chawl; Mishandling and Lack of Approval Blamed
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Mumbai: Seven people were critically injured in a massive gas blast in Kandivli, Mumbai, on Wednesday after an LPG cylinder leak led to a fire at a catering unit operating inside a chawl. According to reports, six of the victims were women, and most of them sustained severe burns ranging between 70% and 90%. The incident has raised serious concerns over fire safety norms in Mumbai chawls and the unchecked operation of commercial kitchens without proper authorization.
Cause of the Incident
The tragedy unfolded in Mistry Chawl on Akurli Cross Road No. 3 in Kandivli (East), where the catering unit was running on the ground floor of a ground-plus-one structure. Investigations revealed that the LPG cylinder had been leaking for a while, and instead of properly addressing the leak, the unit operators turned the cylinder upside down and placed it in a tub of water, according to a fire brigade official.
The reckless handling allowed gas to accumulate inside the premises. Experts believe that a spark from an ignition source triggered the devastating blast, engulfing the premises in flames within seconds.
Extent of Injuries
Out of the seven injured, six victims were women who were working inside the catering unit at the time of the explosion. Doctors confirmed that six of the seven have sustained burns between 70% and 90%, leaving them in critical condition. They are currently undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals, with medical teams battling to stabilize their condition.
The sheer intensity of the blast highlights the dangers of mishandled LPG cylinders and the lack of emergency preparedness in crowded residential areas like chawls.
Lack of Permissions and Safety Violations
Authorities later confirmed that the catering unit did not have the required fire safety permissions to operate in a chawl environment. Running commercial cooking operations in such residential setups is against safety protocols, yet many such units continue to function unchecked in Mumbai.
The fire brigade and police have launched investigations into the incident. Officials are probing whether negligence or deliberate violation of safety rules played a role. Strict action is expected against those responsible for running the catering business without authorization.
Official Statements
A fire brigade spokesperson said, “The mishandling of the leaking cylinder and the subsequent gas accumulation were directly responsible for the blast. The unit did not have official approval to run catering operations in a chawl.”
Police officials have registered a case and are further investigating the chain of events leading to the fire. Authorities have also warned similar unauthorized catering and food units across Mumbai to adhere to fire safety regulations or face strict action.
Growing Safety Concerns in Chawls
The incident once again puts the spotlight on fire safety in Mumbai chawls, where thousands of residents live in cramped conditions, often with little regard for safety compliance. Unauthorized commercial operations, from catering units to small-scale workshops, pose significant risks.
Experts stress the need for:
- Regular fire safety inspections in chawls and high-density residential areas.
- Strict enforcement of licenses and permissions for commercial kitchens.
- Awareness programs on safe handling of LPG cylinders and fire emergency drills.
Larger Implications
This tragic gas blast is not an isolated case but part of a recurring problem in urban India where safety regulations are often ignored in the rush to operate small businesses. The Kandivli incident serves as a grim reminder that negligence and oversight can have catastrophic consequences.
The victims, most of whom are from economically weaker backgrounds, were dependent on such catering jobs for livelihood. Now, their survival hangs in balance, and their families face an uncertain future.
Community Reaction
Locals expressed anger and frustration, blaming authorities for failing to crack down on unsafe commercial setups in residential chawls. Many pointed out that despite repeated accidents in Mumbai involving LPG cylinders and fire hazards, enforcement remains lax.
Social activists have called on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to step up surveillance and immediately shut down unauthorized units that put lives at risk.
The Kandivli catering unit gas blast highlights the urgent need for stringent fire safety enforcement, particularly in chawls and densely populated neighborhoods of Mumbai. As investigations continue, families of the victims wait anxiously for updates on their loved ones. This incident is likely to reignite debates on urban safety standards, LPG cylinder regulations, and the accountability of local authorities in preventing such disasters.
Until then, the tragedy serves as a stark warning about the dangers of negligence and the importance of adhering to safety protocols in every sphere of daily life.
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