Fire Erupts in Ground Floor Meter Room, Spreads Through Wiring in High-Rise
| Vijay Gohil
A major fire broke out in a 11 storeyed residential building, Pann Ali Mansion in Masjid Bunder area of south Mumbai on Sunday early morning, killing two and injuring five other residents. The fire broke out in the ground floor common meter room and the blaze spread through the electric wiring in common passage area of the high-rise building.
“There was no fire fighting system installed at all in the building. After primary investigation, a notice will be served to building for non-compliance to fire safety norms under Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measure Act,” an officer from Mumbai Fire Brigade said.
“The area is so congested that it is difficult for fire engines to reach the spot. Fortunately, it was a Sunday and early morning because of which the lanes were not crowded. However, there were several vehicles and trucks parked on the roads creating obstruction,” the officer said. The building is located on Issaji street, near Ram mandir in Masjid Bunder.
The fire was reported on 6.11 am and was extinguished at 6.31 am. However, as it broke on the ground floor meter room, the smoke had engulfed the entire building in no time. Around 40 to 50 residents who ran to the terrace were evacuated after the situation was under control. “The two female residents ran towards the ground floor in panic, which caused them fatal injuries. The residents who ran to the terrace were safe,” the officer said.
The officer added that a man, residing on the sixth floor jumped out of the window to the next building to save his life.
The deceased were identified as Shah Jiya Alam Shaikh (21) and Sabila Khatun Shaikh (42). Both were taken to JJ hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival. The other injured were identified as Shahin Alam Shaikh (22), Sauda Alam Shaikh (48), Adil Raja Shaikh (24), Nakis Surti (24) and Karim Shaikh (20).
