A four-member committee has been constituted to probe the incident of fire at Kamala building, in which at least six people were killed and 23 others were injured in a massive fire. In a late night release, the BMC said Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal constituted a committee headed by a Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 2) to probe the incident.
A massive fire broke out in a 20-storey residential building in central Mumbai’s Tardeo area on Saturday morning.
The panel has been asked to submit its report in 15 days. Following the audit, the BMC had last month issued notices to 223 high-rise buildings in the city for neglecting fire-fighting equipment to house, it said. According to a BMC official, seven of the injured were taken to the BMC-run Nair Hospital and five of them died, while one succumbed to the injuries at the civilian-run Kasturba Hospital.
The fire broke out around 7.30 am in Sachinam Heights, a ground plus 20-storey building located opposite Bhatia Hospital in Gowalia Tank, when several residents were still sleeping. Deputy Commissioner of Police Saurabh Tripathi said that preliminary information indicates that the fire started on the 15th floor and spread to the 19th floor which was the worst affected. A BMC official said that the fire, which broke out at 7.28 am, was doused after about five hours at 12.20 pm with the help of 15 fire tenders. He said the incident has raised questions about the condition of firefighting equipment installed in high-rise buildings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced on Twitter that ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh would be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the family members of each of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. Maharashtra Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray, who is also the guardian minister of Mumbai suburban district, visited the spot and said that the state government would give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family members of each of the deceased.
He said that the fire seems to have started due to a short-circuit. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condoled the deaths and urged party workers to provide assistance to the affected families.
Some residents of the building alleged that three nearby private hospitals refused to admit injured persons without payment of advance deposit and negative COVID-19 certificate. BJP leader and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleged that the death toll has increased due to these hospitals returning the victims. ,
He said 17 injured were admitted to Bhatia Hospital and the condition of 12 of them is critical. Others were taken to Masina Hospital, Wockhardt Hospital and HN Reliance Hospital. Prashant Gaikwad, assistant municipal commissioner of the D-ward where the building is located, said it was given the occupation certificate in 2015. Only one of its two wings was captured, he said.
PM Modi tweeted and said, ‘Saddened by the fire in the building in Tardeo, Mumbai. Condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.” Minister Aaditya Thackeray said on Twitter that there were reports of two hospitals refusing treatment, but hospital authorities told him they admitted some of the injured. Some residents said they heard a loud sound followed by black smoke, and recalled the frenzy to get out.
The 50-year-old woman, who lives on the fifth floor, said, “I heard some noise like firecrackers and realized that something is wrong. As we were all scared, I fell down twice while helping my husband to climb down the stairs… I can’t remember how I got to the open area. A resident of the neighboring Matrimandir building attributed the fire to an AC compressor explosion. Many of those rescued were shifted to Matrimandir and provided with first aid and breakfast. Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said the BMC would arrange training for residents of such buildings on protocols to be followed in case of fire. Will go
Pednekar said that in view of the increasing number of such incidents, the electricity supply system in buildings should be checked every six months and the BMC will take steps for the same.
(with inputs from PTI)
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