Fire occurs after JCB machine hits MGL gas pipeline during road work; no casualties reported
Riyazuddin S, a medical shop employee, who was injured in the incident; (right) A house was also damaged. Pics/Ritika Gondhalekar
Two potentially catastrophic incidents were averted on Wednesday after separate incidents of fire were reported at two different locations in Kurla, both at a 15-minute distance of each other.
The first fire occurred around 1.30 pm outside the Mubarak Complex building, LIG Colony, where the Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) pipe gas line leaked, allegedly after a JCB machine hit the pipeline during ongoing road works.
Shops that were gutted in the fire
Swift action by the fire brigade ensured that the flames were brought under control before they could spread in the congested locality.
While no human loss or injuries were reported; the shops on the ground floor and two houses were badly hit.
Shopkeepers stare at losses
“We have been telling the JCB machine operators to not dig blindly and not dig deeper. But they did not pay any heed. And everyone can see the result now. Who will bear our loss? Our homes run on these shops. I am staring at a loss of at least R25 lakh,” said ayurvedic medicine store owner Osman Khan.
“I lost fruits and other things worth Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh cash kept inside the shop. It’s not just the shop; we have lost our livelihoods,” said fruit wholesaler Nazeem Baig.
“I have been running this small Chinese restaurant for the last 10 years. Today, I lost everything because the BMC and MGL officials were careless,” said Chinese restaurant owner Miyaz Ahmed.
Residents affected
Although none of the residents or passers-by were hurt, two houses faced massive damage. “My house is exactly behind the fruit seller shop, which was completely damaged. The water that the fire brigade marshals splashed to douse the fire entered my home, damaging the AC, washing machine, refrigerator and bed. Thankfully, none of us were at home,” said Mohammed Ayub, who lives on the ground floor of the building.
MGL issues statement
“The Mahanagar Gas Limited gas pipeline was damaged near Mubarak Complex, LIG Colony, due to the JCB impact during the work being carried out by a third-party road contractor. Following this, our emergency response team was activated, and as a precautionary measure, the gas supply was immediately shut down. The rectification work is in progress.
1.30 pm
Time fire occurred at LIG Colony in Kurla
Second fire incident
Around 4.30 pm, a huge fire erupted on the seventh floor of Kohinoor Phase 1 housing complex. According to the fire department officials’ primary report, the fire was caused by a short circuit inside a house.
As many as six water wagons and one hydraulic ladder were deployed at the spot. Fortunately, no human loss or injury was reported.
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