The 25 timber shops on SV Road in Amboli in Andheri (west) are parallel to the railway track in Western Line which is also a haunt of drug addicts found roaming along the railway track to consume drugs
The fire in two timber shops in SV Road in Andheri on Tuesday was controlled with the fast response from nearby shops' owners and the Mumbai Fire Brigade. However, more than 25 timber shops along the line could have made it more devastating.
The exact reason of the fire is not known. However, locals say that the fire could have ignited due to a spark from a drug addict's cigarette. The 25 timber shops on SV Road in Amboli in Andheri (west) are parallel to the railway track in Western Line which is also a haunt of drug addicts found roaming along the railway track to consume drugs.
Most of the shop owners have alleged that the fire started from behind the shop and possibility of short circuit is bleak as there are no major electrical works present.
"As the fire started from behind and drug addicts often use area along railway track, there is possibilities that ashes from their cigarette could have led the fire," said a shop owner of timber shop.
Since the shops had wood and bamboos which are highly combustible, the fire spread quickly. A senior official from Mumbai Fire Brigade said that the fire was completely doused by midnight as most of the items in the shop was easily inflammable.
In 2008, in the same stretch, a fire had broken out after a fire cracker landed at one of construction material shop mostly bamboo and wooden items and 12 shops were gutted. "However, this time, shops were fortunate that the fire broke out in the evening and emergency services were pressed in time," said an official from the MFB.
Fire officer Soares said that he could ascertain the reason of the fire only after the investigation. "We will also investigate what shop owners' claim and there could be a possibility that the fire broke out due to fire ashes." However, he added the he could reach to any conclusion only after the investigation is over.
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