21 October,2009 07:01 AM IST | | Varun Singh
Ravindra Kulkarni and his daughter, whose apartment burnt down in the Thane fire, were the last to step out alive of the lift that claimed the lives of 6 firemen 15 minutes later
Fifteen minutes is not a very long time span, but in a time of crisis, it can decide if you live or die.
Ravindra Kulkarni (51), owner of the 14th floor flat in Punarvasu Building in Tarangan Complex in Thane that caught fire on Sunday, and his daughter were the last to step out of the lift aliveu00a0- 15 minutes before six firemen from the Wagle Estate Fire Depot took it to douse the flames, but died of asphyxia.
Kulkarni, an executive engineer in the irrigation department, had been living in flat number 114 since 2001. On Saturday, Kulkarni was celebrating Diwali at home with his wife Swati and daughters Gauri (20) and Pooja (16).
When the flat first caught fire between 10.30 and 11 pm, firemen doused it by 12 am. Kulkarni shifted to his friend Sunil Kulkarni's house in Jay Towers. At 3.30 am, his neighbours informed him of the smoke rising out of his flat. "My daughter and I took the lift to my house, but we came down due to the flames.
As soon as we came out, the six firemen entered the lift," said Kulkarni. He added that he would visit the family of the deceased fire fighters after a month, once he had come to terms with the situation. "The death of the officers is unfortunate, but I cannot comment on their decision of taking the lift," added Kulkarni.
Kulkarni has lost around Rs 20 lakh and has recorded Rs 13-lakh worth assets with the police. "My daughters and wife went to see the flat and described the sight. I am devastated, as I am left with nothing. Even the clothes I am wearing are Sunil's. I will have to start from scratch," said Kulkarni.
Insurance
According to the residents, the four buildings in the society are insured for Rs 30-33 crore. Losses incurred include damage to two lifts, staircase, and eight flats on the 14th and 13th floor. The door frames and doors of flats on 14th floor were burnt down and pump and electrical wires were also ruined. The total loss is yet to be calculated. The cause of fire is not yet known. "We cannot comment till the reports are out," said Nandkumar Jantre, commissioner, Thane Municipal Corporation.u00a0
Avoidable?
Residents say the incident could have been averted. A society member said, "If they had broken the glass, which covered the firemen's switch, they could have operated the lift from inside. Vijay Vaidya, the chief fire officer of Thane, however, refused to comment.
