In a tragic update, all six women who were severely injured in the Kandivali catering kitchen fire have died, as per the report by The Free Press Journal. On Tuesday morning, Janaki Gupta (39), who had 70% burns, and Durga Gupta (30), with 90% burns, died at the National Burns Centre in Airoli, according to Dr. Shilpa Karnik and the BMC disaster management team.
The fire happened on Wednesday, September 24, at a catering kitchen called Shivani Caterers, located on Akurli Cross Road No. 3 in Kandivali. A total of seven people, including six women, suffered serious burns.
After initial treatment at ESCI and Aum Hospital in Borivali, all the victims were shifted to National Burns Centre in Airoli and Kasturba Hospital.
So far, those who have died are:
Shivani Gandhi (51) – Owner of the catering business, 70% burns, died on Monday.
Raksha Joshi (47) – Died on Sunday at Kasturba Hospital.
Nitu Gupta (31) and Poonam (28) – Both died on Sunday at Airoli.
Janaki Gupta (39) and Durga Gupta (30) – Died on Tuesday morning at Airoli.
The only survivor is Manaram Kumavat (55), who had 40% burns. He is currently in stable condition and being treated at the burns centre in Airoli.
How the Fire Happened
The fire took place at 9:05 AM on September 24 at Ram Kisan Mestri Chawl in Kandivali. The catering kitchen had just been moved to that shop two days earlier. Before that, it operated from another nearby shop in the same chawl.
According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the fire started due to an LPG gas leak, which led to a cylinder explosion. The shop measured only 10x12 square feet, and all seven people inside were seriously injured.
Officials also revealed that the shop did not have a fire safety (NOC) or the required permissions from the local civic ward office and police.
Legal Action
On Monday, Samta Nagar Police filed an FIR (First Information Report) against the shop owner Yogendra Mistry and the deceased catering business owner Shivani Gandhi.
They are being held responsible for negligence leading to death. The FIR includes charges under, Section 304A – Causing death by negligence, Section 336 – Endangering life or safety, Section 285 – Negligent handling of fire or flammable substances, Section 188 – Disobeying official orders, Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. So far, no arrests have been made, and no notice has been sent to Yogendra Mistry.
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