A fatal fire erupted near Sher-e-Punjab Society in Andheri East, caused by illegal excavation that damaged an MGL gas pipeline. The blaze resulted in the death of 22-year-old Aman Saroj, who succumbed to severe burns within 36 hours, while two others remain hospitalised with significant injuries. (Pics/Shadab Khan)
Updated on : 11 March,2025 10:42 AM IST | Compiled by : Anisha Shrivastava
Civic officials confirmed that official road repair work had ceased by 7 pm on Saturday, but an unauthorised individual was found digging at midnight using a JCB. The intensity of the fire was so severe that even a traffic signal at the junction melted, with nearby shops and buildings suffering heat damage.
Victim Suresh Gupta, an auto driver, lost his source of income after his rickshaw was destroyed in the blaze. He has called for compensation and assistance with insurance claims. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion shortly after midnight, followed by flames bursting from the excavation site, causing panic among residents.
Local MLA Murji Patel criticised the BMC and the contractor for failing to monitor the site, questioning how illegal digging could take place without permission or security. Mumbai Congress Social Media Coordinator Vinay Pandey, who witnessed the incident, confirmed that one of the bikers was badly injured and later died during treatment.
Shiv Sena leader Amit Matondkar blamed the lack of communication with MGL for the incident, stating that the tragedy could have been avoided had proper protocol been followed. Aman Saroj’s family have demanded justice, with his relative Raysaheb Saroj stating that Aman and his friend panicked when the fire erupted, leading to fatal consequences.
Andheri fire, illegal digging, gas pipeline fire, Sher-e-Punjab fire, MGL pipeline burst, Mumbai fire incident, accountability
