A massive fire broke out in a northwest Mumbai slum on Monday afternoon, killing at least two people and injuring eleven others. Officials said a child was among the dead, while at least six others seriously injured.
The fire broke out around 12:30 p.m. in the densely populated Damu Nagar slums in Kandivali East, destroying more than 2,000 shanties, according to Times of India.
"Our department received a call at about 13:33 p.m. and another message at about 12:51 p.m. about the fire. Immediately 16 fire engines, 12 water tankers, five fire brigade officials along with other jawans were rushed to the spot to douse the flames," senior fire official PS Rahangdale said, according to Mid Day.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but officials said that it broke out in a godown and spread to adjacent houses, causing multiple explosions, probably triggered by domestic LPG gas cylinders in the slums, according to The Hindu.
"The area is an uphill colony with narrow lanes. Fire tenders could not reach the blast site, due to the congestion from the hutments and rooms constructed," a police officer said, according to DNA India.
"People have been rescued and been relocated to a nearby BMC garden. Emergency services have also activated their station there," he added.
