Fire destroys 5-storey Zaveri Bazaar building

A preliminary report from BMC said the Mumbai Fire Brigade evacuated some 50 to 60 people via the stairs of an adjacent building.

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The building was largely inhabited by goldsmiths and labourers working in units in the old building. (Express Photo)

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A major fire broke out in a five-storeyed building at Dhanji Street in Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazaar in the early hours of Friday. According to officials, the blaze was reported at 1.38 am and soon after, 12 fire engines and eight jumbo tankers were pressed into service for rescue operations. One injury has been reported in the fire, wherein a 40 year old burnt his hand and was discharged after treatment.

The building was largely inhabited by goldsmiths and labourers working in units in the old building. Eyewitnesses said the conflagration spread to all floors of the building. At 3.25 am, officials declared it a level-3 fire, denoting a major blaze. A preliminary report from BMC said the Mumbai Fire Brigade evacuated some 50 to 60 people via the stairs of an adjacent building.

A major fire broke out in a six-storeyed building at Dhanji Street in Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazaar in the early hours of Friday.

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Senior MFB officials claimed that the fire fighting team faced several challenges during the rescue owing to the structure’s old age. “When a building is old, chances of a collapse are higher under duress of high water pressure. The building can develop vertical cracks. Furthermore, the ceiling of the first and second floors partially collapsed in the aftermath of the fire,” added an officer. A civic body official, requesting anonymity, said most old buildings in Zaveri Bazaar have no internal fire fighting systems in place.

Sameer Zaveri, an activist who lives in a neighbouring building said, “Authorities need to treat fire incidents as wake up calls and conduct a survey to detect illegal units. They must act against illegal units where acid and chemicals are used, and ensure compliance of fire safety norms,” Zaveri told The Indian Express.

The blaze was finally extinguished after a five-hour operation at 7.55 am.

Nayonika Bose

Nayonika Bose is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau. While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents. Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T) Specialized Focus: Nayonika's reporting is dedicated to civic and community issues, providing readers with highly relevant, ground-level information about the functionality and administration of India's largest metropolitan area. Core Coverage Areas: Her articles highlight a strong focus on the fundamental quality of life and public safety in Mumbai, including: Civic Infrastructure: Reports on critical failures and initiatives related to public works, such as the recurring problem of unauthorized building collapses in Navi Mumbai, the construction of new infrastructure projects (like the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road and the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge), and the maintenance of essential city services (e.g., manhole cover theft). Urban Governance & Crisis Management: Provides detailed coverage of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) response to major crises, particularly during the monsoon (e.g., heavy rainfall, water cuts, and public health concerns like dengue and malaria) and large-scale public safety incidents (e.g., the hoarding collapse fallout). Community Welfare & Rights: Reports on key social issues, including the financial aid scheme for persons with disabilities, the struggles of Mumbai's hawkers protesting eviction drives, and the dangers faced by workers due to the continuation of manual scavenging in water tanks. Cultural & Heritage Reporting: Covers significant community stories, including the restoration of British-era fountains and the history of institutions like the 126-year-old Chinchpokli cemetery, showing a breadth of interest beyond pure administration. Tweets @nayonikakb ... Read More

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