08 June,2026 03:58 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
The fire was brought under control and completely extinguished by around 08:35 am. Pic via TMC
A minor fire broke out on Monday morning at the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) headquarters, officials said. The incident occurred around 8 am on the fourth floor in the Urban Development Department. No injuries were reported.
According to officials, the smoke alarm system installed in the department was triggered, alerting security personnel who rushed to the spot. On noticing smoke, staff immediately attempted to douse the flames using fire extinguishers while the electricity supply to the section was switched off as a precautionary measure.
The fire brigade and the regional disaster management team were informed simultaneously and reached the spot shortly after. The fire was brought under control through coordinated efforts of all responding agencies.
Preliminary assessment suggests damage to a computer UPS system, several computers, and some documents. However, officials said that most records are safe as the municipal corporation's e-office system remains operational, allowing digital retrieval of files.
Authorities have initiated an inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage. Cleaning and restoration work were carried out after the situation was brought under control, and departmental work resumed later in the day.
Officials confirmed that important records in the office remain intact and there has been no disruption to critical administrative functioning.
In a separate incident in May, a major fire broke out around 3.30 am at the Gaondevi Vegetable Market in Naupada, Thane West, claiming the lives of two people and causing extensive damage to shops in the two-storey market structure.
According to an official from Naupada police station, the fire was first reported at 3.43 am.
The police and civic officials are investigating the cause of the blaze, while restoration and relief measures are being coordinated on a priority basis.
One firefighter was killed, and two were injured in a dousing operation.
The deceased have been identified as Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) security guard Kalu Shankar Gadekar, 55, and fire station officer Sagar Suryakant Shinde, 42. Two others from the fire department - Sujit Pashte, 45, and Sameer Jadhav, 40 - sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, a joint meeting was convened under the direction of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The meeting was attended by Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Member of Parliament (MP) Naresh Mhaske, and Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao.
It was unanimously decided to provide an immediate financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased, while Phaste and Jadhav will receive Rs 1 lakh each as aid.
Officials confirmed that around 155 affected shopkeepers will be rehabilitated at the same location, with restoration work targeted for completion by June 1. However, the fire has left hundreds of traders devastated, many of whom suffered severe financial losses.
