A massive fire broke out once again in the Bhiwandi area of Thane district, near Mumbai, on Sunday, triggering panic across the locality. The blaze erupted in the afternoon at a mattress manufacturing company’s warehouse located in Harihar Compound at Mankoli. The intensity of the fire was such that thick black smoke and towering flames were visible from nearly four kilometres away. Highly inflammable materials such as foam used in mattress production caused the fire to spread rapidly, turning the warehouse into a raging inferno within minutes and threatening nearby structures.
Soon after the incident was reported, multiple fire engines and emergency response teams rushed to the spot from Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Thane. Harihar Compound is known as a major industrial and logistics hub, housing hundreds of warehouses built close to each other. Strong winds further accelerated the spread of flames, resulting in the fire engulfing six to seven adjoining warehouses. Goods worth crores of rupees were destroyed, with officials suspecting the presence of garments, plastic products and other industrial materials stored inside the affected units.
Firefighters said the operation has been extremely challenging due to the presence of foam, chemicals and other combustible substances inside the warehouses. Dense smoke reduced visibility significantly, making it difficult for rescue teams to enter the premises. The area was immediately cordoned off, and workers present at the site were safely evacuated. As it was a Sunday, fewer employees were on duty, which helped prevent casualties. However, authorities confirmed that the financial losses from the fire are expected to be substantial.
More than ten fire tenders are currently engaged in firefighting operations, though narrow internal roads and limited water availability have slowed efforts. Additional water tankers were deployed to support the operation. Meanwhile, the incident has once again raised serious questions about fire safety compliance in Bhiwandi’s warehouse zones. Local sources claim several facilities operate without proper fire audits or safety equipment. Officials said the exact cause of the fire, including a possible short circuit, will be determined only after the blaze is fully controlled.