Mumbai witnesses three fires in 48 hours

Separate incidents of fire mishaps were witnessed in Malad, Dahisar and Powai. No casualties were reported but foul play suspected.

In the first instance, fire gutted an electronic appliance shop in Valnai area, Malad (West) on Sunday. Locals alerted police and the firemen when they saw smoke coming out of the shop. “The incident took place at 2am. Kashi Nadar, the owner, registered a complaint with us. The motive could probably be an old dispute. It does not look like a robbery attempt and seems like arson,” a police official said.

The Malad police booked the culprit under sections 427 and 436 of the IPC for ‘causing mischief by fire with an intention to destroy a structure.’

Meanwhile, another blaze broke out at a boutique in Dahisar (East) in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Fire officials stated that the flames engulfed the garment store of Javed Abdul Ahmed in Ambedkar Garden. The grade- I fire was doused at 4am. “Prima facie evidence shows that short circuit triggered the fire. It was bought under control in 45 minutes,” he added.

Another fire mishap was reported at Powai. On Friday, the residence of a senior citizen, Neelam Tipnis, was gutted by a fire. Belongings worth Rs2.5 lakh, including gold jewellery and other items were destroyed in the blaze. Officials said that the flat caught fire around 7.45pm.