A major fire broke out in the canteen, booking and waiting areas platform number one of the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in north-central Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon, leading to panic among the passengers present.  However, there were no injuries or casualties in the mishap.

The fire erupted at around 2.50 pm, prompting the railway authorities to move out the passengers from the Jan Aahar Canteen, ticket booking and waiting areas.

As the fire spread, three fire engines and two ambulances arrived on the scene to douse the blaze.

Before long, a video clip of the fire – showing thick clouds of smoke emanating from the roof of the railway terminus -- went viral on social media.

Not wanting to take any chances, the Central Railway authorities switched the power in the station area and discontinued the Overhead Equipment (OHE), resulting in suspension of train services.

A Central Railway spokesperson said that the fire was extinguished at around 3.30 pm. “There were no injuries or casualties in the mishap,” he added.

Though the cause of fire has not been established, it is believed that the sparks from the welding work that was going on at a Pod hotel being constructed at the concourse area, might have fallen on the foam material kept in that area leading to the fire. Incidentally, the Jan Ahar canteen is located next to the under-construction Pod hotel where the fire spread. The waiting longue and booking area are located in the vicinity of both these structures.

The LTT is one of five railway termini for long distances in Mumbai, the others being Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dadar on the Central Railway, Mumbai Central and Bandra on the Western Railway.