MUMBAI – A major fire erupted at Terminal 1 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Thursday evening, triggering a massive emergency response and causing significant panic among domestic travelers.
The Incident
The blaze was reported around 6:00 PM in the Terminal 1B area, which primarily handles domestic flight operations. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the terminal building, followed by visible flames near the check-in counters.
Airport authorities and the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) responded immediately, deploying several fire tenders and water tankers to the site. The fire was classified as a Level II (medium) emergency.
Casualties and Evacuation
While the situation remains fluid, preliminary reports indicate that:
- No fatalities have been reported at this time.
- Hundreds of passengers and airport staff were swiftly evacuated from the terminal building to the tarmac and nearby safety zones.
- Medical teams are on standby to treat individuals for minor smoke inhalation.
Cause and Investigation
Initial assessments by airport security and fire officials suggest that a short circuit in the electrical wiring of a retail outlet or a utility room may have sparked the blaze.
“The fire appears to have originated in a confined space within Terminal 1B. Our primary focus was the safe evacuation of passengers. A full technical audit will be conducted once the cooling operations are complete,” stated an airport official.
Impact on Operations
The fire has led to a temporary suspension of departures from Terminal 1. Passengers are advised of the following:
Airlines including Indigo and Akasa Air, which operate out of T1, have issued travel advisories via social media, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Current Situation
As of 7:30 PM, fire department officials confirmed that the blaze has been brought under control, and “cooling-off” operations are currently underway. Security personnel are cordoning off the affected area to assess structural damage.
Travelers are encouraged to use the airline’s mobile apps or contact airport helplines for real-time updates on rescheduled flights.
