Fire leaves residents in the dark about future Bldg to get notice with list of fire norm violations
57 families move out, one stays put despite power, water supply cut; fire brigade says building unsafe
MUMBAI: There seems to be no end to struggle for the 58 families of Crystal Tower in Parel. While some were trying to cope with the loss of lives in Wednesday’s fire, others were on Thursday looking for shelters till the time their building was declared fit. One family, the Kapoors, meanwhile, decided to stay put, even though the water and power supply were disconnected.
Through the day, residents were seen leaving with their luggage and essentials to their friends’ or relatives’ homes. Rajinder Kapoor had a different stand. “My wife, son and I will not leave the flat. It is our home. We have been living here since 1995. We will drink bottled water and live in candle light,” said the eighth floor resident, who stayed in the home even on Wednesday night, despite police’s warning.
Other residents claimed the civic body had not sent them any official notice to vacate the building. Kishore Desai, assistant municipal commissioner of F/ South ward (Parel), said, “We had sent a notice in 2016 and now the matter is sub-judice. We can’t take any more action.”
The residents had a meeting in the morning where they decided to pool in ₹10,000 each to repair electrical ducts, clear debris and get electricity connections. However, the chief fire officer made it clear the building was unsafe and that no services would be provided without their certificate. “The residents can’t repair the duct until the fire department gives them a no-objection certificate. After we get a detailed inquiry report, we will send out notices to service providers, to not provide services such as power to the building,” said chief fire officer PS Rahangdale.
Unlike the Kapoors, the police restrictions weakened the resolve of others who had been firm on staying back till evening. “We are now living with relatives and probably will be home tomorrow,” said Yvette D’souza, a resident of 10th floor. Jitendra Chauhan, a resident of fifth floor, said, “My wife and I are too old to climb up five flights of stairs. I have had two heart surgeries and we can’t even go up to get our stuff without the lift. We hope we get to stay in our homes soon.” MUMBAI: After a blaze in the building killed four people on Wednesday, the fire brigade will now serve a prosecution notice to Crystal Tower for not complying with safety rules.
“We will now inspect the building and list out the irregularities. We know that the internal fire safety system was not working, but there are other violations in its structure that are hazardous in case of a fire. We need to find out what fire safety measures the builder should have provided, but did not,” said an official from the fire brigade.
The 16-storey residential high-rise in Parel had illegal alterations in the common lift lobby on many floors. It did not have a fire exit or a refuge area. Fire safety equipment such as fire alarms and extinguishers, too, were not available. “The building did not have proper ventilation, and an open electric duct, which is a violation,” the official said.
Primary observations revealed the fire started in the electric duct near the lift lobby on the 12th floor of the building. The fire spread to the flats, but was confined to this floor. Upper floors of the building were damaged because of the smoke said, P Rahangdale, chief fire officer.
The electric duct was decorated with combustible material such as PVC sheets, instead of the mandatory fire retardant cement to be used for sealing it. This burnt rapidly, aggravating the smoke and the fire.
The fire brigade will now speak to residents and eye-witnesses, and examine circumstantial evidence and submit a report within 15 days.