Major fire at medical store in Mumbai claims nine lives
MUMBAI: The toll in Mumbai Chemists shop blaze has gone up to 9, with the sole injured person succumbing to his burn injuries. The other eight died due to suffocation in their first floor house when the medical shop on the ground floor caught fire today early morning.
Fire Brigade informed that the fire started at 6.11 am at a medical shop on Juhu-Andheri road due to short circuit and soon spread to the house above the store. The dead have been identified as the shop owner and his family members.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for Mumbai police, Ashok Dudhe said, “In the morning at 06.00 am fire broke out at Wafa medical store, Juhu galli.
Medical store is at ground floor and their families were staying at first floor and second floor… Primary reason for the fire maybe short circuit. An investigation is underway.”While five of the victims died due to suffocation from the toxic fumes, two sustained severe burns, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Disaster control said.
According to a fire brigade official, a cylinder kept in the medical store is suspected to have exploded causing the fire.An accident death report will be filed by the DN Nagar police station, officials said. Once the fire brigade finishes its probe, the investigation will look at negligence and other angles for the cause of the fire.
The fire officials further informed that three fire tenders, 2 water tankers and one ambulance were pressed into service immediately and the fire was brought under control within an hour.
However, the fumes were strong enough to suffocate the sleeping family, which included 5 children. More details are awaited.
