Blaze Ignites Terminal 1
An electrical malfunction led to a level-one fire within Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport's Terminal 1 on a Thursday evening. The incident,
which originated in the 1B circle on the ground floor, was contained by emergency responders shortly after it began at approximately 6:10 PM. While the Mumbai Fire Brigade officially declared the blaze level-1 at 7:05 PM, preliminary assessments confirmed it was confined to the ground floor of the multi-story structure. The affected areas included electrical installations, leading to smoke entering the waiting areas. This prompted temporary closures of check-in and security zones for inspection, causing a noticeable increase in passenger congestion within the terminal.
Passenger Experiences Vary
While airport officials asserted that services were not significantly impacted, many passengers recounted experiences of delays and disarray. One traveler noted her husband's flight to Delhi, initially slated for 7 PM, was pushed back to 9:30 PM, with similar delays affecting flights across various airlines. Another passenger, arriving from Bengaluru, experienced a 25-minute flight delay and an additional 20-minute wait for gate access post-landing, alongside confusion at the baggage claim. Reports also surfaced of flights being held in the air for extended periods without clear communication from the crew, followed by further delays in baggage retrieval. These accounts painted a picture of frustration and uncertainty for many travellers during the evening.
Swift Response and Limited Impact
The Mumbai Fire Brigade mobilized a substantial fleet, including four fire engines, four water tankers, a breathing apparatus van, a rescue van, and a quick response vehicle, to combat the fire. The operation, overseen by an Assistant Division Fire Officer, also saw the presence of civic ward office and police officials. The fire was successfully extinguished by 9:20 PM. Despite the incident, an anonymous airport official emphasized that the operational impact was minimal, stating that the fire was contained to a specific zone and did not affect airside activities. Flight movements continued with aircraft utilizing available operational bays and stands, ensuring that flight departures and arrivals were not suspended at any point, with only minor delays of 10-20 minutes attributed to precautionary ground handling adjustments.
