50 rescued from burning Thane high-rise as Diwali fires hit Mumbai, Virar and Dombivli

On the first day of Diwali, several fires broke out in Mumbai, Thane, Dombivli and Bhiwandi, and in other parts of the state. The biggest incident was in Thane, where a rescue operation had to be mounted.

A major fire broke out in the Carlyle building in the Raheja Garden area of Wagle Estate, Thane. The fire started on the eighth floor at around 9 pm and spread to the floors above. The fire brigade's rescue operation lasted five and a half hours and ended at around 2.30 am. During this time, 50 people were brought out safely. Fortunately, no lives were lost and no one was injured.

A fire brigade vehicle with a large ladder was also used to rescue people. To keep up the spirits of those trapped in the building, the administration kept talking to them over the phone, which gave them considerable support. A drone was used to assess the fire and gather information on those trapped. Personnel of the Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), the Thane fire brigade and the Mumbai fire brigade took part in the rescue.

Eknath Shinde reached the spot and reassured the frightened residents. The initial assessment is that the fire was caused by rockets and aerial firecrackers set off for Diwali. Shinde appealed to people not to burst firecrackers on building terraces, in parking areas or in open spaces. According to him, such firecrackers need to be brought under control.

In Virar, major fires broke out at three places on Lakshmi Pujan day itself. Fires, fanned by firecrackers and household lamps, broke out at Mohak City in Virar East, Global City Cosmo in Virar West and in the HDIL society area. At the HDIL society, a fire in a locked house was so intense that neighbouring houses and those above were also engulfed. No lives were lost in any of the incidents, but the damage to property was extensive. Firefighters of the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation arrived promptly and put out the fires.

Another incident took place around 10 or 10.30 pm on Sunday in the Gauripada area. A fire first broke out in a scrap godown next to a one-storey chawl building. It spread quickly and reached a first-floor house. Five rooms of the chawl were burnt to ashes. Three of these homes were empty, while the families in the other two were brought out by local residents as soon as the fire started, so no one was killed. The damage is extensive and the cause of the fire has not yet emerged.

In Mumbai, a fire broke out in shops opposite the Dongri police station. The cause is not yet clear. Fire brigade personnel, the municipal corporation's disaster management team and staff and officials of the local police station reached the spot. The fire brigade put out the fire.

In Dombivli East, a fire suddenly broke out in the balcony of a sixth-floor flat in the Mangeshi Dazzle Phase 3 housing complex on 90 Feet Road. The fire brigade reached the spot on being informed and brought the fire under control. The initial assessment is that firecrackers caused the fire, but the exact cause is not yet clear.