Mumbai: Major fire at Malad Railway Station, no casualty

A major fire broke out in commercial units outside Malad railway station early morning on Tuesday. The fire was gutted 22 dingy shops in Gupta Market, located behind the MM sweet shop outside Malad west railway station. The fire had engulfed the kitchen of Shanti Sweets, an off-shoot of MM sweets. The blaze started around 6.50 am and was brought under control at 10.28 am. As the fire started in shops that were shut, no one was trapped or injured.

However, while dousing the flames, three firemen sustained minor injuries and were taken to Shatapdi Hospital in Goregaon.

The total area gutted by fire was over 5,000 sq m, including ground-level and one-storeyed shops of various items like garments, cutlery, imitation jewellery, incense sticks, artificial flowers, etc. Initial observation by fire officials suggests that a short circuit started the fire. The exact cause and location of the blaze will be known only after a detailed inspection is conducted. Fire officials have started recording statements of eye-witnesses and owners of MM sweets on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking to DNA, Chandu Seth, a partner in MM sweets, said, "Our labourers start preparing the snacks early morning. However, when the fire started, there were very less people in the kitchen, and preparations had not started full-fledged. The fire possibly broke out in a garment shop and spread to some parts of our unit. The fire did not start here," he added.

MM sweets is a big confectionery chain outside Malad railway station and they have at least four joints. The road outside the station is filled with office goers and auto rickshaws. Tuesday's fire forced all commuters to walk to and from the station as all vehicles were intercepted after SV Road.

Karim Khan, a commuters said, "I have a shop in Malad and usually travel by train. But today I learnt about the fire and decided to start late. The station road is always filled with autos, yet there wasn't any today; we had to walk. It is unfortunate that MM sweets also caught fire. Thankfully the fire did not take break out in rush hours, or else it would have wreaked a havoc," Khan added.