At a time when students across the state are preparing for the SSC exam, those residing in Malad East’s Appa pada, which witnessed a fire on Monday, are coping with the fact that their hall tickets, textbooks and notebooks have been destroyed. They were clueless about how to enter exam halls at their respective centres on Wednesday.
 
The fire in Anand Nagar, a slum situated on a slope of forest land, gutted more than 3,000 houses made up of plastic sheets and temporary sheds in an area of 10,000 sq m. On Tuesday afternoon, the area was crowded as hundreds of bystanders and visitors, including women and children from neighbouring areas, had gathered. More than 50 big trees were scorched but standing tall on the land. There were at least four fire brigade vehicles put on standby mode while authorities, including the police, were making rounds. Many local NGOs were seen distributing clothes, medicines and water along with snacks and meals.

A local sits amidst the gutted remains. Pics/Nimesh Dave