Diwali mishap kills boy in Tamil Nadu; buildings catch fire in Mumbai

Mumbai: Diwali celebrations turned tragic in Tamil Nadu, where a 10-year-old boy was killed, and his parents seriously injured after firecrackers stored at their home exploded. Meanwhile, three high-rise buildings in Mumbai's Kandivli, Goregaon and Andheri witnessed major fires on Saturday night, triggering concerns over firecracker-related accidents. No casualties were reported in the Mumbai incidents.

The fatal explosion occurred at the house of Badrinath, a resident of Veerachozhapuram in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district. His parents, Murthy and Sharanya, sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital.

The tragedy came just two days after a 20-year-old college student died in a similar explosion in Melur, Madurai. The blast occurred at a friend's house early Thursday morning, destroying part of the building's upper floor. The student's friend and the friend's mother also suffered serious injuries.

According to figures released by the Tamil Nadu Emergency Management Service, 1,387 people had sustained injuries in firecracker-related incidents across the state as of Sunday morning. Authorities have urged people to exercise caution during celebrations.

In Mumbai, the first fire broke out around 9.20 pm at the 22-storey Siriya Building on Old Link Road in Kandivli West. It was extinguished by 10.15 pm.

At 9.25 pm, flames erupted in the gallery of a 19th-floor flat at Moroccan Apartments in Goregaon East. The fire was brought under control by 9.52 pm.

The third blaze was reported at 9.50 pm at flat 1701 on the 17th floor of Runwal Tower in Andheri West. Firefighters extinguished it by 10.37 pm.

Although the exact cause remains unknown, authorities suspect that sparks from firecrackers may have triggered the Mumbai fires. The fire brigade has launched an investigation.