The firefighting system in the Breach Candy CHS on Bhulabhai Desai road was found to be non-functional during the massive fire that broke out in the high rise on Saturday night. So, after an investigation, a notice will be sent to the owner/occupier of the building, said the senior fire official. The fire was extinguished by 3.55 am on Sunday. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The fire broke out in two flats on the 12th floor of the ground plus 14-storey building around 10: 20 pm on Saturday. As per the fire official prime facia the fire must have started due to a short-circuit in the air conditioning unit and then spread to the kitchen area. It quickly spread to other floors due to the high winds. The residents evacuated the building. "Two people were rescued from the floor through a staircase. But the fire spread due to lack of fire safety measures," said a fire official.
The fire officials used hoses to spray water on the flames. "When our firemen reached the spot and were about to open one of the doors they heard an explosion of an LPG cylinder. Fortunately, no one was injured. If the firefighting systems were in working condition it could have helped to control the blaze," said a fire official. The fire was brought under control after 12.30 and was doused after fire-fighting operations for five hours.
Sanjay Manjrekar, chief fire officer of Mumbai fire brigade (MFB) said, "The notice will be served to the building under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006. As per the law, the housing society is given 30 to 120 days of time to repair the fault in their fire-fighting system." As per the act, if the societies do not start the repair works within 30 days, then MFB can take prohibitory action against them. However, the residents refused to comment.
Prabhat Rahandale, a former CFO said, "Even if the annual maintenance contract is given in high rise, during fire incident in 90%, cases the fire fighting system is found to be non-functional. So, as per the recent amendment to the act, the buildings should have an automated continuous monitoring system that will ensure that the fire fighting systems are in good repair and efficient working condition."
According to the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, it is mandatory for owners / occupiers to furnish ‘Form B’ issued by a licensed agency twice a year, in January and July. This pertains to maintenance of existing fire prevention and life safety measures in the structure. If they fail to do so, then water and electricity are disconnected or the high-rise will have to face prosecution.
In a recent drive conducted by MFB in April, around 64 buildings and 384 hotels- commercial establishments were inspected. While notices were sent to 44 residential buildings, hotels and commercial establishments for non-compliance with fire safety norms.
