2 MTNL officers suspended over blaze at Bandra

MUMBAI: The fire brigade's investigation report into the blaze at Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) building in Bandra (W) on July 22 has concluded that a "defective electric circuit" was the cause. An FIR was lodged against MTNL authorities at Bandra police station on August 5. Two MTNL officers have been suspended after they failed to ensure the fire-fighting system was working.
The fire brigade had rescued 86 stranded in the building. The fire had started at 3pm and was brought under control nearly 22 hours later, at 12.55pm on July 23. A fireman sustained minor injuries. Investigators said it occurred on the second and half-floor level in the electric wings, which was above the false ceiling, near the tube-light fittings.
Chief fire officer P S Rahangdale said eye-witness statements were recorded. He said the fire brigade filed a police case as in July last year too there was a minor fire in the building's ground floor. The fire-fighting system then too was not functional. "We had served MTNL a notice under the Fire Safety Act for deficiencies in the fixed fire-fighting system. The authorities failed to ensure it was working thereafter," said Rahangdale.
A senior manager and deputy manager were suspended by MTNL and an FIR was registered against the two for negligence, Rahangdale said. A notice under the Act was also issued for deficiencies regarding safety measures on July 29.
A Bandra police officer said, "The fire-fighting apparatus was damaged. It was not repaired or maintained. There were flaws in safety measures that led to the fire." Police said they registered the case under Indian Penal Code section 337 (causing hurt by endangering life or personal life of others) and under Fire Safety Act sections for negligence.
Meanwhile, in the blaze at Abdul Rehman Street in Pydhonie, which took over a day to control, fire brigade requested police to instruct forensic agencies to investigate its rapid spread, probably due to some chemical.