The Mumbai Fire Brigade has disconnected water and electric supply to the Big Bazaar store at Matunga Road, where a fire broke out on Monday, as its firefighting equipment did not function at the time. The store owner, meanwhile, has maintained there was nothing amiss.

A fire broke out at the ground-plus-one storey store in New Era House on Mogul Lane in Matunga Road around 5 p.m. on Monday. The store had been closed till 5 p.m. as it was election day, and was to reopen in the evening. The fire brigade pressed 12 fire engines, nine jumbo tankers, two quick response vehicles and one turntable ladder into service for the Level IV (major) fire. The blaze was doused only by 11 p.m.

Firemen had a close shave as there was an explosion during the operations. “Initially, we suspected that inflammable merchandise like deodorants and perfumes had caused the explosion, but we later found out that the compressor in the storage area caught fire and exploded,” said a fire brigade official.

The store had allegedly encroached upon its compulsory open space to create extra storage area. Since there was no separate access to it, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had to break an adjoining wall to get access. Besides, the residents of Mandhana Manor, a neighbouring building, were evacuated for around two hours. Fire officers cut the power supply to the entire Mogul Lane for around 30-45 minutes to carry out the operations. The fire brigade suspects a short circuit caused the blaze, but an investigation is under way.

Trouble with BMC

In 2006, the BMC had filed a police complaint against the director of New Era Fabrics Ltd, which runs the store, and M/s Home Care Retail Marts for changing the structure from a godown to a commercial shop.

In 2010, the BMC issued a notice under Section 351 of the MMC Act to R.K. Agarwal, managing director of New Era Fabrics Ltd, for unauthorised construction of the mezzanine floor. In the same year, the owner moved the Bombay High Court. Based on the court’s order, the BMC issued another order, which was challenged in City Civil Court, where it is still pending. The next hearing is in July. The same was the case with another BMC notice issued in 2011.

An officer from BMC’s G North ward said, “Since the matter was in court, we had to maintain status quo. But our legal department should have worked towards getting the stay vacated. We have now submitted a report to the municipal commissioner. We are looking at whether there are any more illegalities.”

Meanwhile, P.S. Rahangdale, chief fire officer, said they were told the structure has firefighting equipment, but none came handy when the fire was raging. “We have disconnected the water and power supply and if we find evidence, we will launch prosecution as well,” he said.

Mr. Agarwal, who owns the property, however, disagreed. “There was a sprinkler system in the storage area that would get activated through electricity. Since there was a short circuit, the system could not work,” he said. About the illegal extension to the store, Mr. Agarwal said, “I have all the documents in place, and I am ready to show that the building area is legal.”