Mumbai, June 18: At least four people were killed and several injured in a major fire, that destroyed more than 400 hutments in Behrampada in suburban Mumbai early today.
Minister of State for Home Nassem Khan, who rushed to the spot along with officials, told UNI that so far four people had been killed.
Local people in the slum located in Bandra east expressed fear that several people were still trapped in the simmering fire.
Meanwhile, Suburban Collector Vishwas Patil said Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who was briefed about the accident telephone, had assured all help to the victims.
The fire broke out at 0300 hrs due to the explosion of a cooking gas cylinder, BMC Additional Commissioner Kishore Gajbhiye said.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the fire tenders reached the spot only at around 0500 hrs and the time flames had leaped to several shanties forcing people to flee to safety with their belongings.In all 24 fire tenders, eight water tanks, two paltform ladders were pressed into service to douse the ravaging blaze.
Hundreds of fire victims have been shifted to a safer spot and were provided food by some voluntary organisations.
–Agencies