Deafening sound, smoke-filled air and tremors that travelled far made residents of Chembur and Mahul cower in their homes last afternoon. Their biggest fear: Had the fire spread, they would have been trapped in their houses, as there is only one road that leads out of the area and onto the Eastern Freeway. Some also saw their window panes shatter due to the intensity of the blast.

There are over 11,000 houses in the location of which 5,700 are occupied. Residents have been raising their voices over the pathetic living conditions in Mahul; after Wednesday's accident, many have started moving out.