Dentist says fire warnings fell on deaf ears

A dentist, who has been practising since last 21 years at Vardan complex where the tragedy unfolded, had warned the family of the deceased several times over the last five years. However, all his efforts went in vain.

"The family was staying in the small, enclosed space since last five years. The place, which had no ventilation or even a single window, was hardly safe for anybody. I had told them several times to vacate the place," said Dr Brijesh Patel, a clinic owner, who stays just above shop no 8 of Vardan complex.

"Today's incident could have been averted had they listened to me. They were living on a live bomb. More people would have died had the gas cylinder also blew off in the fire," added Patel.

There are electric metres and open live wires just at the back of the shop. According to the doctor, the family was using the shop not only to run a business but using it as a storeroom. They were keeping vehicle inside the shop during the night, Patel said.

A metal net, which was closed from inside, could not be opened. There was not even a single opening for the smoke to exit. It resulted in asphyxiation. "Suffocation is the reason why they died. There was no ventilation and the entire shop was so heavily packed. There was literally no space to move out for the victims to escape," Patel said.

NEVER DARE A FIRE

What expert says
Additional chief fire officer Rajesh Bhatt said the fire may have been caused by the accumulated gas as the gas cylinder's valve was damaged.

Sleeping in such shops is illegal: Ahd Mayor
Ahmedabad Mayor Gautam Shah, who rushed to the site immediately after the accident, said, "It is illegal to sleep in such small grocery shops. The main door of the shop was locked from inside."

Fake call
Around 2.10 pm, a building, next to the Vardan complex, also reported a minor fire. The fire emergency services had swung into action in nine minutes. However, reports revealed that the rescue call was a fake one.