Blaze in Andheri East: Two Dead as Massive Fire Engulfs Mumbai Scrap Godown

MUMBAI, INDIA — A catastrophic fire swept through a scrap godown and adjoining industrial units in the Sakinaka area of Andheri East on Tuesday evening, claiming the lives of two people and leaving four others severely injured. The Level-2 blaze rapidly spread across an area of nearly 4,000 square feet, engulfing roughly 60 to 70 commercial units and nearby structures before emergency responders brought it under control late at night.

The fire was first reported at around 6:40 PM at a scrap warehouse located in the Abdul Rashid Compound. Fueled by highly combustible materials stored across the site—including plastic granules, wooden furniture, garment stock, aerosol containers, and LPG cylinders—the flames quickly intensified, sending thick clouds of black smoke towering over the surrounding industrial neighborhood.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade mobilized more than 12 fire engines, along with water tankers and specialized rescue teams. Emergency personnel from the Mumbai Police, Adani Power, and local civic ward staff also rushed to the scene to assist in evacuation and perimeter management.

"Extinguishing the fire presented significant challenges due to the dense concentration of combustible scrap, narrow access lanes, and exploding aerosol canisters," said a senior fire official involved in the operation. "It took sustained, coordinated efforts across multiple hours to contain the blaze."

The firefighting effort continued well into the night, with the blaze finally being declared extinguished around 12:30 AM on Wednesday.

Search and rescue operations inside the charred structures led to the recovery of two unidentified bodies. Both victims suffered fatal burns, and their bodies were sent to Rajawadi Hospital for post-mortem examinations and forensic identification.

Four additional individuals sustained burn injuries during the incident and were admitted to the trauma ward at Rajawadi Hospital. Among them, 20-year-old Taufiq Shadil Qureshi remains in critical condition after suffering 80% burns. Jahid Abidulla Qureshi, aged 20, and Kamal Jalauddin Shah, aged 47, sustained 40% burns and are listed in serious condition. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Lalchand Ramlakhan Gautam suffered 10% burns and is currently stable under close medical observation.

In addition to the physical damage to commercial structures and warehouses, multiple two-wheelers and a commercial tempo parked nearby were burnt.

The exact cause and origin of the fire remain undetermined. The Mumbai Fire Brigade and local police have launched a joint investigation to determine whether the blaze was triggered by an electrical short circuit or improper storage of hazardous and flammable materials within the commercial compound.