Diwali Tragedy in Navi Mumbai: Four, Including Child, Killed in Vashi High-Rise Fire

In a tragic Diwali-day incident, four members of a family — including a six-year-old girl — died after a massive fire broke out at Raheja Residency Society in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, on Monday. The blaze spread rapidly across three floors of the high-rise, trapping several residents inside, officials said.

According to the Navi Mumbai Fire Department, the fire started around 5:15 pm on the 10th floor of the building and quickly spread to the 11th and 12th floors. The victims included a grandmother who was trapped on the 10th floor and a young couple with their child who were found dead on the 12th floor.

“It appears the fire spread through the electrical duct, causing intense smoke and heat on multiple floors,” a senior fire official said. “Our teams reached the spot within minutes and managed to rescue several residents, but four lives were unfortunately lost.”

🚒 Fire Spread Across Three Floors

Residents said that thick black smoke engulfed the building within minutes, forcing many to flee to terraces and balconies for safety. Firefighters battled the blaze for more than two hours before it was brought under control.

Videos from the scene showed firefighters using cranes and ladders to evacuate residents trapped on higher floors. At least 10 fire engines, two rescue vans, and four ambulances were deployed at the site.

The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared four of them dead on arrival.

⚠️ 32 Fire Calls Across Mumbai on Diwali

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) reported that it received 32 fire-related calls across the city on Monday — the day of Diwali — as incidents of short circuits, open flames, and firecracker-related mishaps surged.

Officials said that while most of these were minor blazes, the Vashi high-rise incident was the deadliest reported during the festival period.

“Over 90% of fire calls during Diwali are linked to electrical faults or open flames. We’ve issued advisories urging people to check fire safety compliance in housing societies,” a senior MFB officer said.

🕊️ Six Deaths in Navi Mumbai Fires on Diwali

Officials confirmed that six people died in separate fire incidents across Navi Mumbai on Diwali day. Apart from the Vashi high-rise fire, two others died in unrelated residential fires in Nerul and Ghansoli.

Authorities have ordered a forensic audit of the Raheja Residency building’s fire systems to determine whether fire alarms and extinguishers were functional at the time of the incident.

“A report will be submitted after forensic and electrical inspections are complete,” said an official from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

📊 At a Glance: Vashi Diwali Fire Incident