A fire at a labour camp in Mulund East on Thursday afternoon triggered the reported explosion of around seven gas cylinders, prompting the evacuation of an estimated 200 to 300 workers. No injuries were reported, while fire personnel continued cooling and inspecting the site after bringing the blaze under control.
The fire broke out at a ground-plus-one-storey labour camp in Tata Nagar, near Navghar Road. The camp houses workers engaged in the construction of a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Project Affected Persons housing project planned in the area.
A senior fire official said the exact cause of the fire had not been established. The circumstances surrounding the reported cylinder explosions were also being investigated. Fire personnel remained at the premises to check for residual hazards and cool affected areas.
The workers were evacuated safely after the blaze began. The labour camp is linked to a BMC housing project that envisages 7,439 homes. The project is expected to accommodate families displaced from Dharavi, along with residents of private buildings that are not covered under the PAP scheme.
BJP corporator Prakash Gangadhare, who visited the site, said he suspected that the fire may have originated from a rubber gas pipe. He said the possibility needed to be investigated, but the cause had not been officially confirmed.
The incident brought attention to the safety conditions at temporary accommodation used by construction workers living near large redevelopment and housing projects. The workers at the Mulund camp were reportedly being considered for temporary relocation until the premises were cleared, cleaned and declared safe.
The fire department’s immediate focus remained on eliminating residual risks at the site. Further findings on the origin of the fire and the condition of the camp are expected after the investigation and safety inspection are completed.
