On Monday, 22nd July 2025, at around 10:45 AM, a fire broke out at a fast-food stall near Kharghar Railway Station, Navi Mumbai.
The blaze, suspected to have started due to a gas leak, triggered brief panic but was quickly controlled by fire officials.
Despite the busy location, no injuries or casualties were reported, and damage was minimal. The situation was resolved within 30 minutes, and a safety compliance check has been initiated.
Fire Brigade Response:
Immediate Action Taken:
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Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Fire Department received the distress call at 10:48 AM.
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Two fire tenders were immediately dispatched from the CBD Belapur fire station.
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The fire team reached the site within 7 minutes, by around 10:55 AM.
Rescue Operation:
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The fire was contained using foam and water spray techniques.
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The shop’s gas cylinders were promptly removed from the vicinity to avoid secondary explosions.
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No evacuation of railway premises was required as the fire remained localized.
Casualty and Injury Report:
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No fatalities were reported.
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No injuries occurred as the shop owner and helper escaped quickly.
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The fire was doused before it could spread to neighboring stalls or cause railway disruption.
Witness & Public Reaction:
Local Vendor Testimony –
“I saw smoke coming out suddenly. People started shouting and moving back. Thankfully, the fire team came very fast and handled everything smoothly,”
Commuter Response –
Several passengers at the railway station initially panicked due to the thick smoke but resumed normal activity after the situation was declared safe by authorities.
Suspected Cause:
Initial investigation by the fire department and local police suggests the cause to be:
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A minor gas leak from an LPG cylinder that went unnoticed.
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A spark from the stove may have triggered the fire.
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Short-circuit possibility is also being examined as CCTV footage is under review.
The food stall had a single cylinder attached to a makeshift burner which did not meet the proper fire safety norms. The shop also lacked a functional fire extinguisher.
Official Statements:
NMMC Fire Officer’s Note:
“Our team acted quickly and efficiently. We urge all food stall operators to conduct routine cylinder checks and install basic fire safety equipment.” — Chief Fire Officer, NMMC
Local Police Comment:
“No criminal negligence was found as of now, but we are verifying documents of the stall and its licenses.”
Damage Estimate:
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Property Damage: Approx. ₹2 to ₹2.5 lakh (kitchen equipment, stock, signboards)
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Public Disruption: Minimal; station remained functional
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Infrastructure Loss: None reported; adjoining shops unaffected
Conclusion:
The timely and efficient response by Navi Mumbai’s emergency services turned a potentially dangerous fire into a contained incident without casualties. However, the event highlights the urgent need for enforcing fire safety norms, particularly for informal food outlets operating in busy public spaces.
Moving forward, civic authorities and the railway administration must collaborate to:
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Ensure licensing compliance,
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Train food vendors on emergency response,
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Conduct routine safety audits.
This fire could have been a tragedy. Instead, it became a wake-up call.
