21 February,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
Victims being treated at a hospital in Santacruz. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar
Four persons sustained severe burn injuries following a gas cylinder blast that triggered a fire at Dighe Chawl in the Vakola area of Santacruz East on Thursday evening. The incident was reported at 6.52 pm, prompting a swift response from the Mumbai Fire Brigade.
According to officials, the fire broke out in a room at Dighe Chawl, located behind Rekha Medical near Vakola Bridge. The blaze was reportedly caused by a cylinder explosion inside the premises.
Firefighters from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) rushed to the spot and managed to extinguish the flames by 7.26 pm, preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining structures in the densely populated chawl.
All four injured persons were initially taken to VN Desai Hospital in Santacruz for primary treatment. Based on the severity of their burns, three of them were later shifted to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital (Sion Hospital) for further management, said officials.
7.26 pm
Time the fire was doused
The youngest victim, 15-year-old Yash Gowale, would have appeared for his SSC (Std X) exams had this unfortunate incident not occurred.
"He was studying for his first paper, which was today [Friday]. But now his entire year will be wasted. Though everyone does get an opportunity to write the exam in October, still he will have to wait till next academic year. Though he has lesser burns, the impact on his life is larger," said Swapna Powle, his cousin.
Spot:
Dighe Chawl, Vakola, Santacruz East
Time: 6.52 pm
Day: Thursday
Sumati Gowale
. Age: 70
. Burns: 45-60%
. Condition: Critical
Avantika Gowale
. Age: 45
. Burns: 30-40%
. Condition: Stable
Yash Gowale
. Age: 15
. Burns: 10%
. Condition: Stable
Javed Shaikh
. Age: 30
. Burns: 33%
. Condition: Stable with impact on stomach
