Teen killed as slab collapses after blast in Malwani firecracker shop in Mumbai

A blast in a shop stocking firecrackers in Mumbai's Malad area caused its slab to collapse, killing a 16-year-old boy, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident took place at around 9:56 pm on Monday, November 9, on Abdul Hamid Marg in Malwani. The shop was on the ground floor. According to an official, the shop's slab fell after the firecrackers exploded, and a fire also broke out there.

According to the fire brigade, the fire remained confined to the firecrackers and the electrical wiring and equipment inside the shop, spread over an area of about 20 feet by 30 feet. It was brought under control by 10:36 pm.

A boy had been reported missing after the incident. A municipal corporation official said he was later found burnt inside the shop. The official also said the body was 100 per cent burnt. The boy was 16, so he is not being named here.

Meanwhile, several fire incidents linked to firecrackers took place in Mumbai on Sunday night. That night, Awaaz Foundation, as it does every year, monitored noise levels and air quality across the city. According to the foundation, firecrackers were burst the most between 8 pm and 11:15 pm on Sunday, the day of Lakshmi Puja.

Members of the foundation monitored areas including Carter Road in Bandra, Mahim, Dadar, Shivaji Park, Prabhadevi, Worli, Haji Ali, Marine Drive, Cuffe Parade and Colaba. It said places such as Marine Drive and Shivaji Park have been major firecracker hotspots in the past, but fewer crackers were burst there this year. Most of the sounds were sporadic and scattered across different neighbourhoods.

This year's figures were lower than in 2023. That year, noise at Marine Drive was recorded at 82 to 117 decibels between 9 pm and 11.25 pm. At Shivaji Park, 99 decibels was measured at 7.45 pm and 95 decibels at 11.45 pm, while at Carter Road noise ranged from 72 to 85 decibels at 7 pm.

Foundation members said that at about 11.15 pm firecrackers were still being burst at Cuffe Parade and Carter Road despite the presence of police. Reports of firecrackers being burst after the 10 pm deadline also came in from other areas. In some places the police intervened. Awaaz Foundation has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BMC Commissioner drawing attention to these violations and demanding strict action.