Mumbai: Yet another illegal unit up in flames
The godowns of tiles, garments and wooden furniture in Maharashtra compound near Baiganwadi caught a level 3 fire and at least 25 people were rescued, of which three injured women were taken to Shatabdi hospital.
The reality of the high number of illegal commercial units in Mankhurd-Govandi area has once again come to light after a major fire broke in an area of 100x100 sq feet in Govandi on Monday. The godowns of tiles, garments and wooden furniture in Maharashtra compound near Baiganwadi caught a level 3 fire and at least 25 people were rescued, of which three injured women were taken to Shatabdi hospital.
It is the third major fire in the last three months in M-East ward's commercial structures which were illegal. After the last two fires in Mandala's scrap yard, the M-East ward officer was directed to demolish all illegal structures.
"The godowns which caught fire on Monday were illegally constructed too and notice under MRTP Act. It is MHADA land," informed Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Bharat Marathe. While taking a defensive stand on illegal commercial structures in M-East ward, Marathe said, "The instructions are already given to carry out inspections jointly by senior license inspector, building and factory officer and fire officer. We have curbed on hotels and restaurants and will now strengthen our actions on godowns also."
Gulaam Khan, owner of the tiles godown said, "We have taken godown on 999 years lease from MHADA and I also have all documents." The fire started around 1 pm and was brought under control only after 4 pm. The cause of the fire is not yet known.