Mumbai: Three months after the intense blaze that gutted parts of Link Square Mall, Link Road, Bandra West, the investigation report of the Mumbai Fire Brigade has laid to rest widespread speculation and conflicting narratives.
The comprehensive findings confirm that the fire originated from the lower ground floor godown of the Croma showroom, triggered by an electrical fault involving battery-operated goods stored within.
Rapid Escalation
Originally classified as a Level I blaze, the incident escalated with shocking speed: Level II by 4:28 a.m, Level III at 4:49 a.m, and ultimately Level IV — a major fire emergency — by 6:25 a.m. Responding to the scale of the crisis, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was deployed upon the fire brigade’s request, arriving at the site by 7:50 a.m.
Adjacent buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, the fire remained confined to the mall premises and did not spread to neighboring structures.
Severe Damage
According to the BMC’s report, supported by statements of witnesses and circumstantial evidence, the fire's origin point was traced to Croma’s godown where intense heat and dense smoke had caused severe damage. Investigators documented spalled plaster, buckled mechanical ventilation ducts, and distorted metal framing — all concentrated on the lower ground floor.
The pattern and severity of the damage confirmed that the fire began in Croma’s storage area and then spread through the showroom and other parts of the mall.
Mall Safety Compliant
The report also clarified that Link Square Mall had complied with all statutory requirements and possessed a valid “B Certificate” issued by a government-approved fire safety panel, indicating no lapses in mandated preventive measures and fire fighting and fire protection system was in good working condition.
Nonetheless, the nature of goods housed — primarily electronics, batteries, and high-density flammable material — meant that the fire escalated rapidly and destructively.
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Policy Implications
Croma’s role as the ignition point — backed by forensic patterning and technical inspection puts closure on speculation and reaffirms the importance of heightened safety protocols for high-risk inventory zones. The detailed findings now pave the way for policy revisions in fire response and commercial zoning.
