Thane: A major fire broke out at a godown storing chemicals along the Mumbai-Nashik highway in Maharashtra’s Thane district, officials said on Monday.

While no casualty was reported in the blaze which erupted around 9.45 pm on Sunday, a fire officer was injured after falling into a drain during the firefighting operation, they said.

Thick smoke from the burning chemicals triggered panic in the surrounding industrial area.

Efforts were still on to douse the blaze, the officials said.

The fire originated in the chemical storage unit located near Savad Naka in Lonad village of Bhiwandi town along the highway, Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation’s disaster management cell chief Saquib Kharbe said.

Several fire engines and private water tankers were pressed into service, he said.

There was no report of any casualty in the blaze so far. However, fire officer Nitin Lad sustained injuries after slipping and falling into a drain while wearing a fire suit during the operation and was immediately provided medical assistance, the official said.

Four fire engines — two from Kalyan and one each from Bhiwandi and Ulhasnagar — were rushed to the spot. Several fire personnel were at the spot and efforts were still on to douse the flames, Thane Municipal Corporation’s disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said.

The cause of the blaze was yet to be determined, he added.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to bright sunshine and a pleasant breeze on Monday after experiencing light to moderate showers in parts of the suburbs late Sunday night. The first week of October has brought signs of retreating monsoon activity along the Konkan coast, with the intensity of rainfall gradually decreasing across the region.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), weather conditions across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have largely stabilised after several days of intermittent drizzle and moderate rain. As of October 6, no weather alert has been issued for any district in the Konkan belt, bringing some respite to residents following weeks of unsettled weather.

In Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, the weather remained mostly stable on Monday morning, with a cloudy yet dry atmosphere. The IMD has ruled out chances of heavy rainfall through the day. Maximum temperatures are expected to touch around 31°C, while the minimum will hover near 25°C. Despite the clear skies, humid conditions are expected to make the day feel warmer and slightly uncomfortable for outdoor commuters.

In Palghar district, the weather is expected to fluctuate between bright sunshine and occasional light drizzle in some pockets, while other areas may experience completely dry conditions. Morning skies remained partly cloudy, with temperatures ranging between 29°C and 31°C. The high humidity is expected to cause mild discomfort in the afternoon hours.

Further south along the Konkan coast, in Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts, calm weather prevailed after several days of light rainfall. The day is expected to remain largely dry with gentle to moderate sea conditions. Temperatures in these districts are likely to stay close to 30°C. Residents along the coastal belt may experience humid and slightly warm conditions, especially during midday hours.

The IMD has forecast that light rain may return to some parts of the Konkan and interior Maharashtra from October 7 onward, marking a brief revival of post-monsoon showers. However, for now, Mumbaikars can expect relatively dry and stable weather for the next 24 hours, with clear skies, moderate humidity and calm winds, offering a brief but welcome break from the persistent September rains.

Palghar, Maharashtra: In a significant breakthrough, the Naigaon Police have arrested a murder accused who had been absconding for nearly a month. The accused, Sunil Kharpat Prajapati (35), was traced and detained from a ship docked at Okha-Dwarka port in Gujarat after a meticulous manhunt.

The case dates back to September 7, 2025, when a dispute broke out between two workers of Synergy Hygiel Company at Kaman, Vasai (East). The deceased, Dilip Saroj, and the accused, Prajapati, had been given money by their employer, Prakash Ghunkar Chamaria, to share expenses for meals. However, Prajapati allegedly withheld the amount from Saroj, sparking a heated quarrel.

According to police, during the altercation, Prajapati assaulted Saroj with a blunt object, inflicting severe injuries on his head, eyes, and right arm. Saroj succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment, leading police to upgrade the charges to murder under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Given the gravity of the crime, senior officers formed two dedicated teams from the Crime Detection Branch to trace the fugitive. Acting on credible intelligence, investigators learned that the accused had taken shelter aboard a vessel at Okha port in Gujarat. Over 200 ships in the vicinity were thoroughly searched before police located Prajapati hiding on one of them.

He was taken into custody and later confessed to his role in the crime during questioning, officials said. The accused is now in police custody, and further investigation is underway.