Gas pipeline catches fire in Mumbai

A pipeline of the Mahanagar Gas Limited caught fire on a road in Andheri, Mumbai, on Thursday evening, forcing evacuation of residents in nearby buildings.

There are no reports of casualties, fire brigade sources said.

"The mishap, the first of its kind, occurred when some external agencies were digging and struck the pipeline, leading to a leakage. Some source of ignition led to the fire," MGL Managing Director A K Purwaha said.

The fire is being brought under control 'by digging a bypass and squeezing the pipeline, thereby reducing the pressure and bringing the flame to a controllable height', he said.

A crisis management and technical team has reached the spot, Purwaha added.

The road, which links eastern and western suburb of Andheri, has been closed to traffic.

Four fire engines and five water tankers have been pressed into service, the sources added.