Mumbai: A 55-year-old man died after a fire broke out in a barge, he was repairing at Kolsar Bandar, Daarukhana, on Wednesday morning. A helper is said to have sustained injuries, who, the police said, is untraceable after the fire.
According to the fire brigade, the blaze broke out in Amraj II, a 150-foot-long barge owned by Khakhra Marine Transport, at 10.30 a.m.. Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was doused within 30 minutes. The worker, identified as Shyaamji Jaiswal, was declared brought dead at J.J. Hospital in Byculla. Doctors said Jaiswal had sustained 100% burns. A case of accidental death was registered at Sewri police station.
It is learnt that Jaiswal started welding parts of the boat at around 9 a.m.. “Sparks from the welding machine came in contact with diesel that had leaked from the boat’s engine, leading to the fire,” D.M Patil, fire compliance officer, said.
Byculla fire station manager Makrand Surve said the fire was minor. “The cause of the fire is suspected to be the diesel leak. The incident should have been treated by the BPT fire brigade, but as the Mumbai fire brigade was called by the locals, we went to the spot,” Mr. Surve said.
“A search is on for the helper, who is the only eyewitness to the incident. The owner of the boat has also not been identified yet. investigations are on,” Sudhir Nagwe, senior police inspector, Sewri police station, said.
