MUMBAI — A terrifying incident caught on CCTV has gone viral, showing the moment a routine elevator ride turned into a life-threatening inferno on Monday night, February 2, 2026. At approximately 10:30 PM, several gas-filled balloons exploded inside a lift at Anmol Tower in Goregaon West, engulfing three occupants in a sudden flash of fire.
1. The Incident: A Birthday Celebration Gone Wrong
According to police and CCTV footage, the sequence of events unfolded rapidly:
- The Delivery: Raju Kumar Mahato (32), a delivery person, entered the lift carrying about 12 gas-filled balloons intended for a family birthday celebration in Room No. 1003.
- The Occupants: He was joined by Himani Tapriya (21), a student from Surat who had just arrived to visit her aunt, and another resident.
- The Explosion: As the lift doors began to close, the balloons—packed in a large polythene bag—suddenly ignited. A massive fireball filled the cabin, briefly obscuring the CCTV camera.
- The Escape: Fortunately, the doors had not fully locked. The three individuals were seen rushing out of the elevator as flames erupted from the center of the lift.
2. Victims and Injuries
The victims were immediately provided medical assistance and are reported to be out of danger:
- Himani Tapriya: Suffered burn injuries to her right arm, neck, and stomach. She stated in her complaint that the heat was so intense it partially melted the suitcase she was carrying.
- Raju Kumar Mahato: The delivery person also sustained burn injuries during the blast.
3. Legal Action: Negligence Case Filed
The Goregaon Police have launched a formal probe into the incident:
- The Accused: A case has been registered against T.K. Jaiswal, the owner of a shop in Andheri West, under Section 125 (negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- The Charge: Police allege the vendor failed to provide safety instructions or equipment to the delivery person and used highly flammable gas—likely hydrogen—instead of non-flammable helium.
- Notice Served: The vendor has been served a notice as investigators review forensic samples of the balloon remains.
4. Why Balloons Explode in Lifts
Safety experts have highlighted the extreme risk of carrying gas-filled balloons in confined spaces:
- Hydrogen vs. Helium: While helium is inert and safe, many vendors use hydrogen because it is significantly cheaper. Hydrogen is highly flammable and can be ignited by a tiny spark from a lift button, static electricity from a plastic bag, or even friction.
- The “Sealed Box” Effect: An elevator is a poorly ventilated, small metal box. If a balloon leaks, the light hydrogen gas collects near the ceiling, creating a “fuel-air” mixture ready to ignite at the slightest provocation.