20221117 Navi Mumbai: Fire breaks out at APMC’s fruit market in Vashi; illegal encroachments blamed for blaze
India Nov 17 2022 “Building” “Stores”
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Navi Mumbai: Fire breaks out at APMC’s fruit market in Vashi; illegal encroachments blamed for blaze
Updated: 2022-11-17
NAVI MUMBAI: A major fire broke out in the fruit market section of Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) wholesale market at Vashi in Mahararashtra’s Thane district at 4.40pm on Thursday.
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation fire department rushed four fire engines to the N wing of the fruit market.
No casualties were reported since the traders and workers at the site rushed out in the open as the blaze quickly engulfed 20 galas.
“There is heavy encroachment inside the fruit market. Many wooden boxes and cardboard cartons used for packing fruits are spread out, leading to a dangerous situation. The fire department must lodge an offence against the APMC administration and also the Turbhe ward officer for failing to curb such encroachments inside the wholesale market, leading to this serious fire,” said RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan.
As the smoke and flames spread across the N wing — due to the clutter of inflammable cartons and wooden boxes — the market insiders said that if this fire had started later in the evening, it could have taken a tragic turn since the crowd and incoming fruit vehicles swell at that time.
“At present, we are concentrating on dousing the fire at the fruit market. Afterwards an inquiry will be conducted on what caused it and who all are to be held accountable,” said a fire brigade official at the spot.
Web Source: The Times of India