In wake of Wednesday’s fire at Beau Monde, a luxury residential tower in Prabhadevi, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations’s standing committee meeting on Thursday saw members questioning the civic body’s preparedness for fire emergencies, its use of its equipment, and its policies.
The fire department had been unable to deploy its 90-metre ladder, as a podium obstructed access. Congress corporator Asif Zakaria demanded to know if the podium was legal: “Even if it was legal, how did the fire brigade allow it? It was the residents’ good fortune that the internal systems were working, because the ladder could not even reach up to the building.”
Chief Fire Officer Prabhat Rahangdale said a ladder’s cage needed to be above a fire. “Ladders can only reach up to 30 floors, and the fire was beyond the 31st floor.” He said there were 60 men inside the building fighting the fire.
Corporators then asked why buildings taller than the reach of the fire brigade’s ladders were allowed. Additional Municipal Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said, “Ladders are generally only up to 90 metres; they can support rescue efforts, but internal systems are most important.” Across the world, he said, it is the responsibility of building occupants to have a fully functional fire-fighting system.
Shiv Sena leader Vishakha Raut said, “If building occupants are responsible for their own safety, why do we need a fire NOC? Citizens will do whatever they want at their own risk. Can the administration put onus on people and get away with it?”
Corporators across party lines demanded an inquiry into whether Beau Monde’s podium and other elements were as per approved plan; Mr. Mukherjee agreed.
At a press conference later, NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “The fire brigade collects a large sum as capitation fee every year from citizens. Then why is the infrastructure sub-par?”
He questioned Mr. Rahangdale also being Director, Maharashtra Fire Services. “Because he has dual responsibility, the CFO cannot focus on incidents on Mumbai. Why cant the state government find another suitable person?”