Mumbai: One person lost his life and another sustained serious burns after the fuel tank of a garbage collection truck exploded while it was being repaired in Kalachowky on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the police, the incident occurred on the Barrister Nath Pai Road in Kalachowky around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
The police said that a ‘Clean Up’ truck, a garbage collection vehicle contracted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, was undergoing repairs at a private garage in Kalachowky.
“One of the mechanics was welding some parts into place on the underside of the truck, and the flame of the welding machine went too close to the fuel tank, causing it to catch fire. Within seconds, the fuel tank exploded and the truck burst into flames,” said an officer with the Kalachowky police.
The mechanic, later identified as Abdul Rehman (25), and the truck’s cleaner, Siraj Ahmed (25), who was standing close to it, were both caught in the flames. Rehman, who took most of the impact of the blast, sustained close to 100% burns.
Both were rushed to JJ Hospital in Byculla, where Rehman was declared dead before admission. Mr. Ahmed is still undergoing treatment, having sustained over 80% burns, the police said.
The hospital authorities subsequently informed the Kalachowky police about the incident, and a team was sent to the hospital to make inquiries. The team subsequently visited the garage and recorded statements from the owner, employees and other eye witnesses to the incident.
“Inquiries so far have revealed that the garage owner had not taken any precautions to prevent such an accident. We are registering an FIR of causing death due to negligence under the Indian Penal Code against him, and are conducting further inquiries,” said Senior Police Inspector Dilip Ugale of the Kalachowky police station.
