Navi Mumbai: A massive fire broke out at a manufacturing unit in Rabale MIDC, Navi Mumbai, in the early hours of Friday, prompting an extensive firefighting operation that continued well into the night. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, though the blaze caused significant property damage and sent thick plumes of smoke across the industrial area.
Blaze at Gel Pharmaceutical Company
According to officials, the fire erupted around 2:49 a.m. at the Gel Pharmaceutical Company, located near the TJ SB Bank in Rabale’s MIDC industrial zone. The facility reportedly stored candles and glass materials, both highly flammable substances that allowed the fire to spread rapidly through the premises.
Personnel from the MIDC Rabale Fire Station were the first responders on site, soon joined by additional teams and water tankers from the Navi Mumbai Fire Brigade’s Airoli and Vashi stations. Together, they battled the flames for hours, with firefighting and cooling operations extending throughout the day and into the evening.
A disaster management official confirmed that while the fire had been brought under control by evening, cooling operations were still underway late into Friday night to prevent re-ignition. “Our personnel managed to control the blaze, but we have not yet called off the operation,” the official said, adding that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
No injuries but property loss under assessment
Although no injuries or casualties were reported, the extent of the damage to the manufacturing unit is expected to be substantial. Fire officials are assessing the losses, which include extensive destruction of stored goods and partial structural damage to the unit.
The dense smoke and intense heat made firefighting efforts challenging, with responders taking precautions to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby facilities within the MIDC zone.
Another fire reported in Andheri East
In a separate incident earlier in the morning, a smaller fire broke out at a shop in Ashok Nagar, Marol, located along Military Road in Andheri East. The blaze, which began around 8:10 a.m., damaged three two-wheelers and one electric four-wheeler parked nearby.
Officials from the Mumbai Fire Brigade said the fire was confined to the ground floor and loft area of a ground-plus-one structure, which housed a shop selling vehicle parts, tyres, computers, and office materials. The fire reportedly spanned an area of 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.
Though no injuries were reported in the Marol incident either, part of the structure collapsed due to the heat, and cracks developed in adjacent walls, raising safety concerns about the building’s stability.
Fire officials confirmed that the Marol fire was completely extinguished by 2:24 p.m., after several hours of operations.
Authorities to investigate causes
Both incidents have prompted fire and disaster management authorities to launch separate investigations into their causes. In the Rabale case, officials suspect that flammable industrial materials may have triggered or intensified the blaze, while in Marol, electrical faults or overheating equipment are being examined as possible factors.
Authorities are also expected to review fire safety compliance at the affected locations. The MIDC and Mumbai Fire Brigade have frequently urged commercial establishments to maintain fire safety equipment, conduct regular inspections, and ensure proper storage of combustible materials.
Swift response prevents casualties
Officials have credited the quick response by firefighting teams in both Navi Mumbai and Mumbai for preventing loss of life. The coordination between multiple fire stations helped contain the Rabale blaze before it could spread to neighbouring industrial units.
As of Friday evening, cooling operations were still being carried out in Rabale to prevent flare-ups, and a detailed assessment report on damages is expected in the coming days.