Overview
- A moving Maruti Ignis caught fire inside the southbound Coastal Road tunnel between Haji Ali and Worli on Wednesday, forcing motorists to flee and temporarily halting traffic.
- Mumbai Fire Brigade, police and a 108 ambulance were dispatched quickly and firefighters extinguished the blaze in about 20 minutes after the tunnel control room and a passing motorist raised the alarm.
- Tunnel systems—linear heat detection, Saccardo ventilation, pressurised hydrants and insulating fire boards—activated and helped contain fire and smoke, according to senior MFB officials.
- Panic drove hundreds to abandon vehicles and take keys with them, which blocked emergency lanes and slowed some fire crews who had to approach on foot or from alternate tunnel ends.
- The Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police and the RTO have launched a joint investigation and the BMC issued a 12-point advisory and a public awareness campaign to improve signage, evacuation guidance and emergency access.