Mumbai: A day after 12 labourers were killed in a fire at a farsan shop, investigations found gross negligence on part of the owner, which include storage of a large quantity of inflammable material in one place.
“The food was cooked at the place where the workers used to sleep. They would use wooden stoves, while firewood, diesel, and edible oil were all stored together,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone X) Navinchandra Reddy on Tuesday.
The police have found remnants of five gas cylinders in the wreckage, which, they suspect, contributed to the blaze. Only one narrow doorway for entry and exit was also a factor in the high death toll.
“Shop owner Ramesh Bhanushali has claimed that the business was legal, but is yet to produce a licence,” senior police inspector Avinash Dharmadhikari, Saki Naka police station, said.
The police also said that the working conditions at the shop were extremely unsafe for the workers. On Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation demolished the remaining part of the structure.
Residents and shopkeepers in the area have alleged that liquor was sold illegally at the shop, and that complaints had been made.
Mr. Dharmadhikari, however, said that no such complaints were received.
Chief Fire Officer P.S. Rahangdale refused to comment on whether liquor was found inside the shop. “We will be submitting a report within a week.”
The fire broke out at Bhanu farsan shop on Khairani road at around 4:15 am on Monday. While eight employees managed to escape, 12 died due to severe burns and suffocation after the mezzanine on which they were sleeping caved in. Late on Friday night, the Saki Naka police arrested the owner, charging him with negligence and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Meanwhile, an Andheri court has sent Mr. Bhanushali to five-day police custody.
