Andheri tower blaze: BMC inspects Lotus Park, report by mid-week

Lotus Business Park

After it took more than nine hours to douse the flames on Friday, around 40 fire officials carried out the cooling operations at the Lotus Business Park at Andheri West, which concluded yesterday morning. It was only after this that an inspection of the building could be carried out.

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Lotus Business Park at Andheri West

Officials from the building and factory department of K-West Ward of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), along with structural engineers and consultants, visited the spot and carried out an audit to analyse the strength of the high-rise and the condition of the glass façade. The report, which will be submitted by mid-week, will decide whether it is sturdy enough for future occupation.

Vishwas Shankarwar, assistant municipal commissioner of K-West ward, said, "The report will be based on the firsthand account of the firemen as well as the secondary site check post the fire. We have appointed a structural engineer who will submit the report."

On Friday morning, the fire brigade reached the spot at 10.10 am to douse the fire that broke out around 9 am. Within two hours it was declared a ‘brigade call' - meaning resources from all fire stations across Mumbai and surrounding suburbs were brought in with manpower and equipment. The flames were brought under control at 6.30 pm. The 22-storeyed building has more than 25 offices.