Mumbai fire: Pub received BMC notices, had non-functional equipment, untrained staff
There were a number of violations at the site of a fire which killed at least 14 people in Lower Parel in Mumbai. What's more, it had received three notices from the BMC.
In Short
- Pub where fire broke out had received BMC notices
- Multiple violations at site: single staircase for entry exit, poor ventilation
- Fire exit blocked, fire equipment not functioning
1 Above, the rooftop pub in Mumbai's Lower Parel where a deadly fire broke out early on Friday morning, had received three notices from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, India Today has learned.
The pub received an MRTP notice for hookah, and the partition and shed where today's fire broke out, killing at least 14 people.
Mojo's, another nearby establishment which was partially burned in the fire, had received two BMC notices. It is owned by the son of IPS officer KK Pathak.
Both 1 Above and Mojo's issued statements in which they expressed condolences. Both establishments have claimed that they adhered to fire safety norms, took all necessary precautions, and had staff who were trained to deal with the situation.
The manager and owners of 1 Above were charged with culpable homicide in an FIR.
VIOLATIONS
The staff of 1 Above were found to be ill-equipped to handle a crisis such as the one that occurred today.
But the presence of untrained staff wasn't the only violation at the site of the blaze. Ventilation was poor, fire equipment didn't function, and there was a single staircase for people entering and leaving the premises.
India Today has also learned that 1 Above had also blocked the fire exit.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had begun taking legal action against the pub earlier this year. The municipal body had granted a license for a restaurant, but not a open, rooftop establishment. The BMC is now conducting a survey with the fire department, and is set to take legal action again.
Activist Mahesh Vengurlekar had filed multiple complaints against illegal structures inside pubs and hotels at Kamala Mills. His complaints - made to the police, the fire and excise departments - fell on deaf ears.
This morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish and said his thoughts were with the bereaved. President Ram Nath Kovind lauded first responders' valiant efforts."
Read our full report on the fire here, and see pictures and watch videos here.
VIDEO | An clip of the Kamala Mills fire filmed by an onlooker (Video: Twitter/@nigel_pais)
UNBELIEVABLE! Was damn lucky to notice this and raise the alarm in time #KamalaMills #Fire pic.twitter.com/Yx2Dt9qLGB- Dramatical Error (@nigel_pais) December 28, 2017