OC issued to the building when it was completed with fire-fighting equipment will now be cancelled by the Fire Brigade and a fresh one will be issued only after new, functional equipment is brought in
Mumbai : For the first time, the Mumbai Fire Brigade has decided that until and unless fully operational fire-fighting equipment is not installed in the Lotus Business Park building, it will not issue the Occupation Certificate (OC) to the owners of the property.
Sunil Nesrikar, Deputy Chief Fire Officer said, “We are taking this decision only for the first time. A notice will be issued to the owners to that effect.”
This means the OC issued to the building when it was completed with fire-fighting equipment will now be cancelled by the Fire Brigade, and a fresh one will be issued only after new, functional fire-fighting equipment is brought in.
“Because the fire-fighting equipment inside the building was not working, we had to bring in four hose-pipes from the inside and four from on the outer side of the building,” said a fire officer at the spot of the mishap.
In addition, the fire brigade has observed that all high-rises with a glass façade have the lack of ventilation, which makes the fire-fighting operation that much more difficult. “Developers opt for this type of a structure as its construction is cheaper,” said a fire official.
In the fire, the 23 firemen stuck on the 21st floor of the building were running from one corner to the other to get away from the heat and smoke engulfing them. This problem aggravated due to the lack of ventilation. These 23 people were later rescued through the staircase of the building. Whereas 10 people on the 22nd floor had to escape to the terrace. Out of these, one was rescued by the Coast Guard’s helicopter, while the rest were brought down through the staircase by the fire brigade. The one deceased, Nitin Yevlekar, 35, died of smoke inhalation and suffocation. His body was charred beyond recognition by the raging fire. His body was found on the staircase of the 22nd floor.
Recent fires in various buildings of Mumbai
Date Building Casualties Reason
June 26, 2014 CST administrative bldg, 5th floor 35 people evacuated, no one injured Short circuit in server room
June 21, 2014 1st floor of the Naman Towers No casualties Short circuit in AC
in Elphinstone Rd
Dec 13, 2013 12th floor of the 26-storey Mont Seven residents dead, Painting material caught fire
Blanc Bldg, Kemps Corner six firemen injured
Dec 2, 2012 19th floor of Jolly Maker No casualties Defective electric circuit
building, Cuffe Parade
June 21, 2012 Mantralaya, top four floors Three died and 15 were injured in the fire Short circuit in AC
Sachin Unhalekar