Mumbai, March 5 : The massive fire at Behrampada slums has given rise to several speculations, the most prominent being of foul play, says a media report.While the authorities have refused to give reason behind this tragedy, the residents say it could be the result of a well-planned conspiracy to gut the shanties.
The residents of Behrampada and Garib Nagar in Bandra (East) ran for their lives as the first flames engulfed the shanties around 8.30 pm on Friday night.
Eyewitnesses claimed they heard a loud bang and soon 40-ft high flames were visible from the hungry fire.
Fire officials, Mumbai police and emergency workers rushed to the spot and at the time of going to print were still grappling to bring the fire under control. 14 injured of which two are women have been brought to Bhabha hospital with minor injuries.
Two fire brigade officials who got injured while dousing the fire were also rushed to the hospital. However, this is not the first time that the Bandra slum has gone up in flames.
In June 2009, a fire injured 15 locals and destroyed nearly 200 slums. At the time, the slum dwellers suspected a builder of being behind the incident, however, no evidence linking the two was ever unearthed.
On Friday night too, many fingers began pointing towards a possible cause behind the huge fire.
In fact, within hours of the slum going up in flames, telephones at various builder offices in the suburb began buzzing with curious calls.
"These incidents do happen in Mumbai shanties. The cause would be known within 24 hours. Hence, we will take precautionary measures. This is unfortunate," said BMC commissioner Subodh Kumar, who was present at Bhabha Hospital.
Police officials say there were many illegal small-scale industrial godowns that stocked inflammable materials like plastic and old wood.This helped the fire and hence it spread within minutes from one shanty to the other.
Eleven people were injured as the inferno reduced nearly 2,000 shanties to cinders. The fire was brought under control but it took many hours for the embers to completely cool down.
Eyewitnesses said firemen were hampered by lack of space and policemen had a tough time controlling the milling crowds who showed signs of turning violent. All the gutted structures were allegedly encroachments.
The locality is slated for redevelopment. A large number of slumdwellers were believed to be have been trapped in the blaze, the cause of which is yet to be determined.
The Harbour line was closed as a precautionary measure from 9.45 pm since the fire erupted close to the line which goes to the BDTS yard. Both lines share the power supply.Forty services were cancelled till 10.20 pm. Trains on the Western line were crawling in an attempt not to fan the flames.
Services on the Harbour line resumed at 11.30 pm. The fire also caused the east side of the foot-overbridge connected to the skywalk to collapse.The fire destroyed several homes, including that of Pervez, who was the coordinator for the child artistes of the Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire.
The child artistes` hut also appeared to have been gutted. As the gathered crowd grew restive, a large number of policemen from nearby police stations rushed the spot.
The 14 injured were admitted to Bhabha Hospital in Bandra. Three were discharged and the rest are under observation.
In June 2009, a similar fire had broken out in the vicinity of Behrampada, claiming several lives. It took the fire brigade a couple of days to subdue the blaze. Residents had then alleged foul play, pointing fingers at the developer who wanted to redevelop the area.The area close to the station in Bandra (east) is dotted by a cluster of slums and four-storey structures. There are various issues involved about their construction.
