While fire brigade will submit it's report, the preliminary cause of fire was said to be short circuit in an electric appliance between 5.00 and 5.30am. Fire brigade got a call at 5.40am. An ambulance, four fire engines and water tankers were rushed to the spot. However, by the time fire brigade reached the spot, 18 stalls were gutted. Fire was doused by 7.30am.
A major tragedy was averted at Juhu Beach as 18 food stalls were gutted in fire in the wee hours of Friday. Considering summer vacations, lakhs of tourists throng on Juhu Beach and if the incident would have occurred during the evening hours, the situation could have been worse.
While fire brigade will submit it's report, the preliminary cause of fire was said to be short circuit in an electric appliance between 5.00 and 5.30am. Fire brigade got a call at 5.40am. An ambulance, four fire engines and water tankers were rushed to the spot. However, by the time fire brigade reached the spot, 18 stalls were gutted. Fire was doused by 7.30am.
Residents from the area criticised the civic authorities for allowing the stalls to cook food even when their licenses were to sell pre-cooked food. Several stalls have gas cylinders which could lead to an explosion and a major fire could take place. "It was fortunate that the incident took place early morning and the stalls had not started cooking. Had it been the evening hours, when the cooking actually happens, the impact would have been disastrous," said a resident who was on his morning walk.
"They (stalls) have license to sell pre-cooked food. But all of them have gas cylinders. How can they carry out the business without the knowledge of BMC officials and that too during broad daylight. Residents from our area have time and again complained to the civic ward office but no action is taken," said another resident.
Parag Masurkar, assistant commissioner of K-West ward said that they have license for pre-cooked food but not for gas cylinders. "My officers told me that they have stoves fuelled with coals and no gas cylinders," he said.
A fire officer said that while the report is awaited, no cylinders were found at the spot.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Juhu")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}