The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MBF) has claimed that the internal firefighting system was non-operational at the Hansa Heritage building in Kandivali, where two people died after a fire broke out, at the time of the incident.
Owing to this, the blaze that occurred in one of the flats on the 14th floor spread rapidly to the floor above too. According to officials, the fire was doused after more than three hours.
This comes two days after a major fire incident took place on Saturday night, November 6, in the ground-plus-15 Hansa Heritage building in Kandivali (West) at around 8:30 pm.
The victims have been identified as Ranjanben Parekh, 90, and Nita Parekh, 64, both of whom were occupants of that floor’s flat. MFB had rescued five of a family from the 14th floor flat, following the blaze.
Officials said that a notice will be served to the building for not having an operational firefighting system in place. The system was supplied water from an overhead tank. Due to the gravity, water was supplied to the firefighting system only for the first few minutes. Once the pressure ran out, the firefighting system did not work. The blaze was doused using the fire brigade’s machinery only.
The notice will be served under section 6 of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act, 2006, which mandates that it the responsibility of the building owner or occupiers to ensure fire safety within the premises, reported Hindustan Times.
Mayor Kishori Pednekar, who had visited the building premises stated that according to the information given to me, the fire started owing to a diya kept in the balcony on the 14th floor.
कांदिवली (पश्चिम) च्या मथुरादास मार्गावरील हंसा हेरिटेज बिल्डिंगला लागलेल्या आगीच्या घटनेची मुंबईच्या महापौर किशोरी पेडणेकर व उपमहापौर सुहास वाडकर यांनी आज दिनांक ०६ नोव्हेंबर २०२१ रोजी पाहणी करून आगीच्या सद्यस्थितीची माहिती अग्निशमन अधिकाऱ्याकडून घेतली. pic.twitter.com/8ox50BWFPy
— Kishori Pednekar (@KishoriPednekar) November 6, 2021
However, the fire brigade, on Sunday, November 7, said that the cause of the fire will be confirmed after a preliminary inquiry is conducted.
Meanwhile, Kandivali MLA Yogesh Sagar expressed deep condolences and have extended assistance and support wherever required.
Pained to know about the loss of two lives in a fire incident at Kandivali W's Hansa Heritage building yesterday. Have spoken to the bereaved family to express my deep condolences & have extended my assistance and support wherever required. In-depth inquiry should be conducted.
— Yogesh Sagar (@Yogeshsagar09) November 7, 2021
The five residents rescued by the fire brigade are not in a state to talk, as they are in shock. A team of fire officials visited the spot on Sunday to begin with the preliminary inquiries. A complete inquiry will be done after recording eyewitness accounts, added an official.
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