Cause of Parwana Bhavan fire still not known

Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) fire department is perplexed about the cause of fire at Kingsway Hospital in Parwana Bhavan after the hospital management ruled out most of the common causes.
Fire department had written to Kingsway Hospital to conduct a rpobe and find out likely cause of fire that broke out in the building on January 9.

In response, Kingsway Hospital said they could not find the exact reason. “SNDL (power franchisee) has rejected possibility of a short circuit. Works like welding or grinding were not going on in the auditorium where the fire broke out. For the last couple of years, this premises is declared no tobacco zone. Nobody is allowed to carry tobacco products like beedi or cigarette,” the hospital said.

Hospital added nobody could see the fire due to thick smoke until fire department personnel reached the place. “All staffers were involved in helping and evacuating the people,” the hospital said.

The fire broke out in the auditorium that covers second and third floor. Work of auditorium for Parwana Memorial Trust, owner of the land, is going on in rear side of the building in lower ground floor, upper ground floor and three floors. Hospital work is going on towards front in lower ground floor, upper ground floor and six floors. Also, hospital work is also going on the rear side from fourth to sixth floor.

Fire department officials said police help would be taken in finding cause of the fire. “Our personnel too failed to identify the cause,” they said.

Kingsway Hospital also said structural engineer Dilip Mase was doing structural audit of the building. “Works have been completely stopped in auditorium and will resume after report from Mase,” the hospital said.

Considering fire was contained inside auditorium, the hospital has reportedly resumed works in the other wing. TOI had on January 10 reported NMC was yet to okay the revised building plans of the building.