Mumbai: Nagpada high rise did not have proper firefighting system

Despite frequent incidents of fire in high rises, several societies are still being negligent about it. The fire in a high rise of Nagpada, late on Saturday night, once again proved the point. The building did not have firefighting system in working condition and now Mumbai Fire Brigade will summon them.

On November 10, when Diwali celebration was still in the air, a fire erupted in a 22 storeyed Bismilla Tower at Nagpada around 10pm. The fire broke out in a flat on the 10th floor. Four fire engines and an ambulance rushed to the spot. The fire was doused within an hour. The family was living out there but they escaped unhurt. While no person was injured in the fire the major incident can be happened due to sheer negligence.

Fire brigade official found that there wasn't any fire system in working condition. Luckily no one was hurt but this could be turned into a major tragedy. This is the problem with most of the redeveloped buildings in the area.

A senior fire brigade official said that they would be soon issuing the building a notice under Section 6 of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and life safety measures act 2006 where it is the owners or occupiers' liability to provide for fire prevention and life safety measures.

"The high rise had flouted the mandatory fire safety measures. Several firefighting systems like fire alarms, fire exits and a refuge area were not in place," said senior fire brigade official.

In August fire at Crystal Towers at Parel highlighted the problem of firefighting measures not being in place which led to the death of four persons.