In a report submitted to the civic standing committee on January 2, the MFB revealed that the residents association of Sargam Society in Tilak Nagar had asked for an inspection of the building's fire fighting system.
While investigating the Sargam Society fire that killed five persons last week, the Mumbai fire department has realised its own folly. An internal inquiry within the Mumbai fire brigade (MFB) has revealed that its own dispatch section didn't forward a letter that the Sargam residents had sent seeking an inspection of the fire fighting system in their building. The letter was sent in January 2018, a year before the fateful incident.
Residents had said they weren't content with the system the developer gave them and hence initiated the correspondence with the MFB.
In a report submitted to the civic standing committee on January 2, the MFB revealed that the residents association of Sargam Society in Tilak Nagar had asked for an inspection of the building's fire fighting system.
As per the letter written by the Sargam Residents Welfare Association (SRWA) to the chief fire officer of MFB, a thorough inspection of the building's fire fighting system was to be carried out as per Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) rules. However, the clerk in dispatch in its Wadala office section failed to forward the letter to the respective official.
The report also states that the department is carrying out an enquiry. "The clerk has already retired, but we are carrying out an enquiry for lapses in duty on his part," said Prabhat Rahangdale, chief fire officer of MFB.
But the MFB is not content with just shrugging off its responsibility and blaming the retired employee. It also mentioned in the report that it's the sole responsibility of building owners and residents to meet fire compliance as per the Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measure Act, 2006. The report said it is imperative for a cooperative society to carry out a fire safety audit, which Sargam Society didn't do, and hence is liable for disciplinary action as per the appropriate act.
Ravi Raja, leader of Opposition, has alleged that the MFB is escaping its responsibility by fixing the blame onto an officer and making him a scapegoat. "We will take this matter and seek an investigation by an official of IAS rank," Raja said.
The Sargam building in Tilak Nagar had flawed too many fire safety rules. The hydrant was non-functional and residents were aware about it. "We have been complaining to developers as well as the BMC to look into these issues. But they did not pay heed to our request," said Shankar Lanke, a resident of Sargam Society.
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