Mira Bhayander Fire Tragedy Claims Three Lives, Destroys 35 Shanties
A horrific fire, sparked by a series of LPG cylinder explosions during a cooking mishap, tore through a slum pocket in Bhayander East's Indralok-Phase 3 on Friday, resulting in three fatalities and the complete destruction of 35 shanties. The blaze, which erupted in quick succession from four to five cylinder blasts, has left the impoverished community in ruins, with residents losing all their possessions and belongings in the inferno.
Victims Identified as Migrant Workers and Minors
The deceased have been identified as Guddu Balkisnu, a 47-year-old mason from Uttar Pradesh, and two 15-year-old cousins, Suraj Ali and Rohit Ali, from West Bengal. Their bodies were formally identified and handed over to their grieving families on Saturday. The Navghar police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Residents Describe Panic and Total Loss
Eyewitness accounts paint a picture of sheer panic and devastation. Makiya, a resident, recounted how she barely managed to escape with her three children, leaving everything behind in her room. Kamal Shahji, who moved from Kolkata two years ago, described the fire originating in one room before rapidly spreading through the densely packed shanties, where rents range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per room. Aliya, another long-term resident, echoed the sentiment of total loss, stating, "We escaped, but have lost all our belongings in just minutes."
Several students lamented the destruction of their books and study materials, compounding the tragedy with educational setbacks. The affected residents, many of whom have lived there for about two years and pay rent to a private individual on the 11th of each month, are now homeless and destitute.
Illegal Construction on CRZ Land Under Scrutiny
The slum pocket, which emerged a few years ago on an open plot, is alleged to be situated on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) land with mangroves, according to local residents and activists. During a site visit, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik noted concerning details, including a borewell covered with a 200-liter drum and individual electric meters for each shanty. He criticized the failure to address earlier complaints about illegal land use, asserting that timely action could have prevented the three deaths.
Dhiraj Parab, a Bhayander activist, accused the land mafia of reclaiming the CRZ land through illegal filling in mangrove and tidal zones behind Navghar village. He highlighted unauthorized businesses, constructions, and slums generating substantial rental income, calling for strict action against both the mafia and complicit officials. Parab emphasized the need to adhere to Bombay High Court orders for removing illegal fillings, restoring natural tidal flow, and replanting mangroves.
Official Responses and Investigation Updates
Minister Sarnaik assured residents of a compensation proposal to the state government, while Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) Commissioner Radhabinod Sharma confirmed the launch of an investigation with appropriate action against those responsible. Chief Fire Officer Prakash Borade stated that the fire prima facie started in a hutment during cooking, with firefighters managing to remove 23 cylinders from remaining shanties to prevent further explosions.
MBVV DCP Rahul Chavan reiterated the registration of the ADR at Navghar police station, noting that charges will be finalized after reviewing the MBMC report. The tehsildar, Nilesh Gaund, remained unavailable for comment despite attempts to reach him.
This tragic incident underscores the dire living conditions in unauthorized slums and the urgent need for enforcement of land-use regulations to prevent future catastrophes.
