Mumbai: While a BMC team removed temporary unauthorised constructions on the terrace of Panna Ali Mansion at Masjid Bunder, where two residents died after a fire broke out Sunday morning, the Mumbai fire brigade will issue a notice to the building for lack of a proper firefighting system. A fire brigade team inspected the building on Monday. The civic body is also verifying the records of the building, including the permissions granted and whether there are any pending court cases regarding the building.
Fire brigade officials said that prima facie, the building did not adhere to fire safety measures. “The lobby area, including the lift area and staircase, did not have proper ventilation. The building is ground-plus-10 storeys, but there were no signs of a fire-fighting system. Besides, there was no separate duct for electric cables, and the cables were not covered. Some floors above the ground were being used commercially,” said a fire brigade official.
“The BMC ward officials will have to verify the records and find out whether the floors above the third are legal, and if they are illegal, then they will have to initiate necessary legal action,” the official added.
“We removed the temporary unauthorised construction on the terrace of the building. Before we initiate any conclusive action against the building, we will have to examine records of the building,” said a B-ward official.
On Monday, residents of Panna Ali Mansion, which stands on a bustling street of Masjid Bunder, were yet to go back to their homes, as the electricity connection was yet to be restored. “Most residents are experiencing breathing difficulties and are seeking medical help. There is no power inside the building, and families residing in the building have to seek shelter elsewhere,” said an office bearer of the building.
Residents of the building are unsure about when they will be able to return to their homes without any basic facilities. Electricity connection will be restored by BEST after repairs are carried out and after certification by the PWD, said a fire brigade official.
The fire breakout, caused by an electrical failure early Sunday morning, resulted in the death of Shaziya Shaikh (21) and her mother, Sabila Shaikh (42). They lost their lives while trying to escape the smoke caused by the fire. Three other family members, including the head of the family, Saud Shaikh (48), son Adil Raza Shaikh (24), and Shaheen Shaikh (22), were injured in the incident.
Locals said that while Shaheen Shaikh is still admitted to JJ Hospital, Adil and his father Saud Alam Shaikh have been discharged, but they have not yet returned to the building since the tragic incident.
