Mumbai: A shocking incident involving gas-filled balloons triggered an explosion inside a residential building lift in Mumbai’s Goregaon West, leaving two people injured and raising serious safety concerns over the transport of flammable material in enclosed spaces.
The incident occurred around 10.30 pm on February 2 at Anmol Tower, shortly after a delivery executive entered the lift carrying a bundle of gas-filled balloons meant for a birthday celebration. CCTV footage of the incident has since surfaced, capturing the terrifying moments when the balloons suddenly burst, causing flames to erupt inside the lift.
21-year-old student Himani Tapriya had just entered the lift to visit her aunt when the delivery boy, identified as Raju Kumar Mahato (32), stepped in with around 10 to 12 balloons wrapped in a plastic bag. Another person was also present in the lift at the time.
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Science: Hydrogen is extremely inflammable, and it leaks in small volumes from balloons. A lift has static electricity as well as electronic components. Even a tiny spark can result in an explosion.
So why do people buy them? Mostly, they don’t. They are victims of a scam. They… pic.twitter.com/Oijz9pbUnl
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) February 4, 2026
Within seconds of the lift doors beginning to close, the balloons exploded, causing a fireball inside the cabin. Fortunately, the doors had not fully shut, allowing the occupants to escape.
Tapriya suffered burns to her arm, neck and stomach, while Mahato also sustained burn injuries. Both were rushed for medical treatment and are said to be out of danger.
In her complaint, Tapriya stated, “I had just arrived at the building from Surat and took the lift to go to my aunt’s flat when a person carrying around a dozen balloons entered the lift. Suddenly, the balloons in his hand exploded, causing serious injuries to my right arm, neck and stomach.”
Following the incident, the Goregaon police registered a case of negligence under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the shop owner, T K Jaiswal, who employed Mahato. The employer failed to provide safety instructions or equipment while sending flammable gas-filled balloons for delivery, the officer added.
Police are also investigating the nature of the gas used in the balloons. Experts warn that transporting hydrogen-filled balloons in lifts is extremely dangerous, as even a small spark can ignite the gas in an enclosed, electrically charged environment.
Under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, carrying flammable substances in high-rise lifts is prohibited, as it poses a serious risk to occupants.