Pics by Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Jul 3: Seven people suffered severe burn injuries in a major fire that broke out at in one of the flats in Bhoiwada and a cylinder blast on Friday afternoon.

According to the fire brigade officials, at around 12.30 pm they received a call from Gangabai Mansion near the Shete market in Bhoiwada informing that a cylinder blast had occurred in Kalavati Gone’s (38) flat on the second floor of the four-storeyed building.

The injured, included her neighbours and relatives, have been identified as Samir Thakur (21), Sancheti Thakur (21),

who is said to be critical, Kanchan Thakur (49), Harshal Virje (16), Rashmi Shelar (40), Murlidhar Vichare (70) and Gone herself.

Two fire brigade engines and three water tankers were rushed to the spot but it took more than two hours to douse the blaze.

Eyewitnesses and police officers from Bhoiwada police station said that a blast occurred inside the house and there were flames emitting from the spot.

So, they immediately contacted the nearest fire control and informed them about the incident.

“All the seven people present in the house were rescued and immediately taken to the KEM Hospital,” said a fire brigade officer, requesting anonymity.

“When we reached the spot we saw that the entire house was gutted and most of the household material had caught fire,” the fire control officer said, requesting anonymity,

The fire brigade officials are now trying to find out the main source of fire.

“We are still trying to confirm whether there was a cylinder blast and if the blast occurred before or after the fire broke out,” said Police Inspector Raju Mane from Bhoiwada police station.