Mumbai: Television actors Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya, along with their twin children, reportedly escaped a fire at their Mumbai apartment building.
However, the incident turned tragic after the building’s security guard lost his life due to smoke inhalation.
The couple is mourning the death of the guard, fondly known to them as ‘Dhanpat uncle’.
In an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, Divyanka and Vivek recalled how Dhanpat was among the first people to welcome their twin sons and bless them when they brought the newborns home from the hospital.
They also shared an old video showing the guard blessing the babies as they entered the building for the first time, reflecting on the special bond they shared with him.
“Some losses leave behind a silence that never quite goes away. 💔 When we brought our babies home for the first time, one of the first people to welcome and bless them was our beloved Dhanpat Uncle, the guard of our building. We had imagined the years ahead… him watching our boys grow, the children playing with their Dhanpat Uncle, and countless little moments we unknowingly took for granted. We never imagined those moments would remain only dreams,” the caption read.
The actors also shared footage captured from their apartment window, showing flames emerging from another flat.
They revealed that they had planned to step out that evening, but their departure kept getting delayed.
As a result, they were still at home when the fire broke out, allowing them to spot the danger in time and evacuate safely with their babies, family members and staff.
“For a while, we thought we had escaped with only a frightening memory and material damage. Until we heard about Dhanpat Uncle. Vivek and I struggled to accept the news. Even as we took refuge at a friend’s home, we kept hoping, praying that somehow it wasn’t true,” they added.
The couple further revealed that electricity was gradually restored by Diwali, while gas supply and lift services resumed the following day after safety checks.
However, they said the restoration of essential services could not erase the emotional impact of the tragedy.
Remembering Dhanpat, the actors said his absence had left a deep void in their lives.
They also expressed their wish to tell their sons about him when they grow older, so they would know about the kind man who had welcomed them home with his blessings.
“The fire dimmed the lights of our home that Diwali, but the loss of a precious life left a darkness in our hearts that no amount of light can undo. It’s taken us time to even find the words to speak about that night. Dhanpat Uncle, you were never just the guard of our building. You were part of our everyday lives, someone we trusted, someone we had imagined in our children’s tomorrow. We will miss you deeply,” they wrote.
The couple concluded their tribute by remembering his kindness and urging people to cherish those who are part of their lives. They also prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
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According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the fire was reported at Flat No. 1702 in Runwal Tower at around 9.50 pm on Saturday.
An assistant fire officer said a diya lit during the Diwali puja is suspected to have triggered the blaze.
The flat belonged to Sharad Agarwal, who had reportedly stepped out for dinner with his wife after performing the puja. His elderly parents and domestic help were at home when the fire broke out.
“It originated in the living room, where a diya lit for the puja is suspected to have set off the blaze,” the officer said. “When the intensity of the blaze was still low, the domestic worker helped the parents to safety using the lift.”
Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar said Dhanpat appeared to have attempted to use the lift instead of the staircase as smoke began spreading through the building.
“He was rescued by firemen using the staircase and taken to Kokilaben Hospital. He was subsequently shifted to Cooper Hospital, where he was declared dead at 2 am.
The firefighting system in the C wing was operational and we were able to control the fire,” he said.
Gaurav Maini, a resident of C Tower, said Dhanpat had been working at the residential complex for nine years and was fondly regarded by its residents.
