On the morning of March 23, 2025, a fire ripped through the Takshshila Housing Society, a 13-storey residential building in Mumbai’s Vidyavihar area. What started as a blaze at 6:45 AM quickly escalated into a level-two fire, claiming one life and leaving another person fighting for survival. This isn’t just another statistic—it’s a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities lurking in urban high-rises. As someone who’s followed Mumbai’s chaotic growth firsthand.
The Incident: What Happened?
The fire broke out in the early hours, catching residents off guard. Two security guards, Uday Gangan (43) and his colleague, were the first casualties. They were rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, but Gangan didn’t make it—100% burn injuries sealed his fate. The other guard remains under treatment, his condition a grim question mark. By 7:33 AM, the Mumbai Fire Brigade had the flames under control, but not before they’d left their mark.
The blaze started on the ground floor, likely in the electrical wiring or a utility area—details are still murky as officials investigate. What’s clear is that it spread fast, a hallmark of fires in densely packed buildings with aging infrastructure.
