Kandivli blaze: Building’s sprinklers stopped working when electricity was shut, says fire brigade

The fire swept through flat numbers 1401 and 1501 at Hansa Heritage in Kandivli West. Pics/Satej Shinde

The fire brigade has alleged that the sprinklers in Hansa Heritage society in Kandivli West, where two people died in a fire on Saturday, had stopped working after the electricity was disconnected. Divisional Fire Officer Sampat Karade said, "Earlier, we were getting water through the sprinklers but after the electricity was disconnected, the sprinklers stopped. Such a system needs an alternative power supply arrangement which was missing in this society."

Utkarsh Shah, a resident of Hansa Heritage, said, "After the fire broke out, our secretary Nitin Kachalia and watchman rushed to the spot. There is a fire extinguisher on every floor and they tried to extinguish the fire on the 14th floor with it. The wind was coming through an open window, helping the fire spread rapidly."

Officials take statements of the residents on Sunday

Shah said they disconnected the power supply and all residents came down through the stairs. "We rushed two to three elderly women down with the help of chairs. The fire bridge saved Deepak Parekh and his family and others in his flat. It was a 45-minute operation."

Amid suspicions that the fire started because of diyas, Deepak Parekh's daughter told the police, "There were no diyas burning in the house so it is impossible that the fire started because of them. Also, the fire was on the upper side of the door. There is a kandil (lantern) placed at the door, but it is not connected to electricity. How the fire broke out is still a mystery."

The residents have been told to temporarily move elsewhere till power supply to building is restored. Pic/Satej Shinde

Parekh and his daughter told the police that they had guests in one of the bedrooms. "We heard the alarm and in the CCTV camera placed outside our home, we saw the fire. When we opened the door, it was on fire from the outside," they told the police.

The family tried to douse the fire with water, but it started spreading rapidly. While Deepak Parekh and his daughter rushed to the last room, his wife and mother were in another room. The two women could not be saved. Their bodies were handed over to the family on Sunday.

Quoting the family, sub-inspector NM Khade of Kandivli police station said the fire started near the door. ACP Asmita Bhosle asked the residents to move elsewhere for the time being. Resident Shah said the power will be restored after PWD and fire officials prepare a report.

Senior inspector Babasaheb Salunkhe said, "We are checking if the builder is at fault. We will take appropriate action once the fire brigade submits its report."

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No. of floors in the building