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Major fire breaks out in Goregaon's Hub Mall, exit encroached by Golden Chariot restaurant

At least 1,000 people present in the mall rushed outside safely

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A major fire broke out in the Golden Chariot restaurant at Hub Mall in Goregaon on Wednesday afternoon. The fire was confined to the kitchen of the restaurant. At least 1,000 people present in the mall rushed outside safely.

The Level-II fire was doused after fire fighting operations lasting four hours, and no casualties were reported. However, shop owners in the mall complained that the fire could have been prevented, and alleged that the Golden Chariot restaurant does not currently hold a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from the Fire Brigade. The owner of Golden Chariot had also received a notice from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for illegal alterations inside the mall.

DNA accessed reports submitted by fire officials to the Chief Fire Officer, that state that the fire exit passage leading to the north-east side on the second floor was encroached upon with unauthorized alterations or modifications by Golden Chariot Restaurant. They also state that the restaurant was illegally using the fire exit for its refrigerator and AC units, and it had also illegally encroached on the approach road to the emergency exit.

Raju Kanod, the manager of Hub Mall, said, "The issue of encroachments comes under the purview of the BMC and fire department. I cannot comment further."

The M/s Golden Chariot Hospitality Services Pvt. Ltd. runs Golden Chariot restaurant and Brass Monkey pub on the second floor of Hub Mall. While these two establishments occupy a combined area of over 5,000 sq feet, an NOC from the Fire Brigade was cancelled due to various unauthorized alterations.

Fire officials have also submitted reports to the Chief Fire Officer flagging illegal alterations at Golden Chariot restaurant and unauthorized use of the common toilet, fire exit and passage of the mall for commercial purposes.

"We are always fearful that the unauthorized alterations of the Golden Chariot restaurant will one day lead to some severe incident. The restaurant also does not have NOC from Fire Brigade. It is completely illegal to run a kitchen without NOC. As the restaurant does not comply with fire safety measures, we knew we are at risk. In case of emergency, the fire exit passages are also encroached upon with AC units and other alterations. The kitchen which caught fire today also had unauthorized alterations", claimed Shaikh Fakruddin Juned, who owns A clothing shop 'Hangers' next to Golden Chariot.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, V N Panigrahi told DNA, "I am not aware whether Golden Chariot has an NOC. My officials are present on the spot and they will investigate. They will pull up the restaurant if it does not have an NOC. The BMC ward office looks after encroachment, and only they can say if the alterations are illegal".

According to documents accessed by DNA, the P-South ward of BMC had issued a notice on March 23, 2016, under section 351 of M.M.C Act 1888, to Golden Chariot for unauthorized alterations. It directed that the premises be restored as per plans that were approved, or face demolition. However, the case is now pending in the Dindoshi sessions court.

"The case is sub judice and the court has put a stay. We cannot demolish the structure or take any actions when the case in in court", said P-South ward officer Santoshkumar Dhonde.

The owners of the Golden Chariot could not be reached for comments.

"We were busy working in our shop and suddenly realized that there was smoke spreading on the floor. We later realized that the restaurant's kitchen had caught fire. We immediately informed the other shops in the mall, and all rushed outside the mall.

The manager of Movietime Cinemas, on the third floor, said, "We have seven screens, and movies were being screened in each auditorium. When we realized there was a fire, we stopped the screenings at all seven auditoriums and safely evacuated around 800 people."

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