Fire accident fatalities surge by 154% in city this year

06 Dec 2023 CW Team

With nearly a month remaining, it was reported that 33 individuals had lost their lives in fire accidents in the city this year, a number that was two and a half times higher than that of 2022. In the 4,721 fire calls received thus far, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year, 290 people had suffered injuries?an increase of over 80% from the figures in 2022. The female demographic constituted 32% of the total casualties during the period from 2019 to 2023, with 30% accounting for the injured.

For the previous year, there were 4,417 fire-related incidents resulting in 13 fatalities and 160 injuries. In 2021, the corresponding figures were 4,065 incidents, 19 deaths, and 173 injuries. Fire brigade officials attributed the majority of Mumbai's fire incidents to short circuits and emphasised the necessity of mandatory electrical audits, advocating for a system similar to the already existing biannual fire audits.

BMC officials concurred with the fire brigade's recommendation for compulsory electrical audits, mirroring the current biannual fire audits. They asserted that since most fires were initiated by short circuits, addressing the issue at its source were crucial. A senior BMC official mentioned, ?The BMC's fire department has been collaborating with the chief electrical inspector to advocate for mandatory electrical audits in all buildings. Identifying the root cause of fires in a majority of cases will contribute to reducing such incidents.? Regarding the Girgaum blaze, it was suspected that a short circuit might have been the cause, pending the completion of the inquiry reports. TOI also contacted some of the families who had experienced the loss of their loved ones in fires reported this year.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..