Mumbai: A major fire broke out in huts located close to the Harbour line local train tracks in the Dharavi area on Saturday afternoon, prompting the temporary suspension of services on the affected stretch, officials said. Preliminary reports confirmed that no injuries were reported, though train operations were disrupted as a precautionary measure.
Fire erupts in Navrang Compound
According to civic officials, the fire started around 12.30 pm in huts situated inside Navrang Compound on the 60-foot road. At least four fire engines, along with additional firefighting vehicles, were immediately deployed to the site to contain the blaze. Firefighters launched operations to prevent the flames from spreading further into densely populated areas.
A civic official confirmed, “There is no report of any injuries to anyone,” adding that the situation was being monitored closely by emergency response teams.
Train services suspended as precaution
With the fire breaking out dangerously close to the railway tracks, authorities temporarily suspended Harbour line local train services between Bandra and Mahim. The incident triggered significant operational adjustments across the network to ensure passenger safety and prevent any complications arising from smoke or heat near the tracks.
A Western Railway spokesperson stated that the electric supply to the overhead equipment had been disconnected as a safety measure. “The electric supply to overhead equipment has been disconnected due to the fire incident in the shanties adjacent to the Up Harbour line on the east side between Mahim and Bandra at around 12:15 pm,” the spokesperson said.
Railway officials emphasised that trains had been regulated and moved away from the affected zone. “No risk to any passenger or trains as they have been regulated and are away from the site,” the spokesperson assured.
Cause of fire under investigation
Authorities are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire or determine the extent of property damage. The dense arrangement of huts and proximity to the railway track posed challenges to fire containment efforts. Officials noted that further assessment would be carried out once the fire is fully extinguished, and the site is deemed safe for inspection.
Fire department teams, along with local police and railway officials, continued to coordinate to ensure crowd control, safety compliance, and uninterrupted access for emergency vehicles.
Conclusion
The incident caused temporary disruption to Mumbai’s Harbour line, one of the city’s critical suburban train networks. While no injuries were reported, the fire highlighted the vulnerability of densely populated settlements located close to vital railway infrastructure. Authorities are expected to review safety guidelines and evaluate long-term measures to minimise risks posed by structures situated dangerously close to rail tracks.