Smoke billows after a fire broke out in a slum, at Bhayandar in Thane district. Two children were injured in the blaze, officials said, adding that three fire personnel also received minor injuries.
Firefighters at the spot after the fire broke out. The incident took place at around 5 am in the Azad Nagar slum, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) Commissioner Sanjay Katkar said, adding that many commercial establishments are located in the locality.
Around 30 huts were destroyed and some commercial establishments were also charred in the blaze. The occupants of huts and other residents of the locality ran out of their homes after the blaze erupted, said Katkar who was overseeing the rescue and relief work at the site.
Some explosions were heard in the locality, according to sources. Thick smoke emanating after the blaze could be seen from a long distance.
As many as 24 fire engines from MBMC and other neighbouring civic bodies were rushed to the spot. A probe was on to ascertain the cause of the fire, MBMC's chief fire officer Prakash Borade said.
A charred body was found at the site and sent for post-mortem to a government hospital, MBMC's disaster management cell chief Narendra Chavan said.