Kamala Mills Fire: Mumbai Fire Brigade officers threaten mass resignation

The Kamala Mills fire that claimed 14 last year

Just a day after the police arrested Worli fire station officer R B Patil and two others in the Kamala Mills fire case, officers of the Mumbai fire brigade threatened to resign if the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) didn't intervene in the matter by Tuesday. The civic body's investigation report has revealed that Patil had inspected the Mojo's Bistro and 1 Above pub a week before the fire and provided a no-objection certificate.

Also read - Kamala Mills Fire: Fire brigade officer, owner of a hookah parlour jailed

On Monday, the Fire Brigade Officers' Association (FBOA) met chief fire officer P S Rahangdale and threatened to resign en masse in protest against Patil's arrest. Speaking to mid-day, Prakash Devidas, president of FBOA, claimed that Patil was just a scapegoat. "In this case, the entire system is at fault. Since he has signed the documents related to the eateries, he is being blamed for the incident. We have approached the civic commissioner in this matter, but he hasn't replied yet." He further said, "If senior BMC officials don't respond by Tuesday, then fire officers of different ranks will resign."

Misleading report
The investigation report reveals that Patil had issued an NOC to the restaurants 1 Above and Mojo's Bistro, following an inspection. In his inspection report he mentioned that the terrace was clear and there were no obstructions. He had even attached pictures of an encroachment-free terrace to support his report.

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