Maharashtra: Woman Dies, Six Injured in Andheri Lokhandwala Fire; Infant Critical

A 34-year-old woman died, while six others — including a 10-day-old infant and a three-year-old child — suffered suffocation injuries after a fire broke out in a residential building at Andheri’s Lokhandwala Complex in the early hours of Saturday.

The blaze erupted around 2.40 am in a flat on the first floor of the eight-storey Broke Land building, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The fire, which was largely confined to household items such as electrical wiring, furniture, and documents, quickly filled the premises with dense smoke, leading to severe suffocation among the residents.

One of the residents, identified as Abhina Sanjanwala, was rushed to Kokilaben Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Six others, including the newborn and the three-year-old, were also hospitalized. The infant is currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit, a civic official confirmed. Two male victims were shifted to Cooper Hospital and Trauma Care Hospital for further treatment.

The fire brigade managed to control the blaze after several hours of firefighting. Preliminary findings suggest the fire was accidental in nature, though a detailed investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause.

The Lokhandwala Complex area, known for its high-rise residential towers and bustling commercial hubs, has witnessed a few fire incidents over the past decade, often attributed to short circuits or negligence in maintaining electrical equipment. Saturday’s incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety measures in Mumbai’s residential buildings, especially those that are older and densely populated.​