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Fire engulfs slum, over 100 shanties charred A major fire broke out in a densely packed slum in Bandra West in Mumbai on 7 March at around 2 am. According to media sources, 150 shanties were gutted in the fire and 17 people suffered injuries. Residents of Shastri Nagar slum awoke after some locals raised an alarm and fire tenders arrived at the site to douse the flames. Media reports indicate that 12 fire engines, 10 jetties, three water tankers and six ambulances were required on site during rescue operations. It took them about four hours to put out the fire.
Residents of Shastri Nagar (a slum in suburban Mumbai) go through their charred remains after a fire broke out early morning on 7 March 2013. The fire engulfed more than 100 shanties in the slum injuring about 17 people. Debadatta Mallick / Mumbai Weekly
Demolition drive strikes again
A truck unloads remains of shanties that were torn apart during a slum demolition in suburban Mumbai on 8 March 2013. A number of slums all over the city are being demolished leaving many homeless. Biplov Bhuyan / Mumbai Weekly (Contd. on Pg. 5)
While officials from the fire brigade are yet to ascertain the cause, locals are reported to have alleged that it was caused by a short circuit. In fact, as the fire engulfed more hutments there were three cylinder bursts which added to the magnitude of the catastrophe. Worried
parents of children, who were appearing for their secondary and higher secondary exams, were especially concerned if their wards would be permitted to sit for exams, given that their hall tickets had either been burnt or could not be found. Fortunately, the school authorities were sympathetic when informed. News reports since then have cast aspersions on one of the local resident, who owns 50 hutments and has been conducting commercial without necessary licenses. It has also been reported that the previous day, houses in the slum were without electricity for several hours. Residents of the slum are reported to have cited electrical work carried out on one of the hutments as the cause of the blackout and the subsequent fire, and have complained against the owner to the local cooperator.
Hawkersâ€&#x; Union get a new ray of hope
A hawker reacts during a demo in south Mumbai on 8 March 2013. The Hawkers’ Union had gathered for the discussion of issuing of new licenses after it was announced that the Street Vendors Bill 2013 will be passed in the Parliament. Anushree Fadnavis / Mumbai Weekly