Vile Parle Fire: Two-Year-Old & Caretaker Suffocated To Death In High-Rise Developed By Grandfather; Investigation Narrows Down To Two Potential Causes

Mumbai witnessed a tragic incident on Tuesday evening, when a two-year-old child named Abir and his caretaker Anikta Chhetri perished in a severe fire that broke out in a high-rise building owned by the child's grandfather, Hiren Batavia. The fire engulfed the Shanta Bhuvan Co-operative Housing Society on Baptista Road, where Batavia had constructed the building.

The fire started in the living room of flat number 1102, when five people were inside, including the two-year-old and his caretaker. Hiren Batavia, the flat owner, managed to rescue his granddaughter Maira and attempted to save his grandson Abir and others, but the fire had already engulfed the entire room. Chhetri, worried by the flames, fled to the bathroom for safety, while Abir's uncle Parth did not realize the situation until he stepped out of the shower.

The fire brigade, police, ambulance services, and nearby residents rushed to the scene, but were unable to control the fire, which had spread across around 4,000 sq.ft. of the building. The first respondents were the society's security guard Shivam Dwivedi and neighbours who tried to help, but were also forced to retreat due to the intense heat and smoke. Both Dwivedi and Batavia were treated for burn injuries and discharged from the hospital.

The investigation into the cause of the fire focused on two probable causes: an electrical short circuit in the AC unit above the living room's TV and the possibility that the househelp left an iron press on the clothes. Unfortunately, both Chhetri and Abir succumbed to the smoke inhalation, as they were found unconscious inside the bathroom, trapped and unable to find any ventilated spots. Their funeral was held on Wednesday, leaving the community in shock and mourning.