Nana Chowk fire: Residents cannot go back home till the investigation is over

Some of the affected residents have been put up at a BMC school in the vicinity. Pics/Bipin Kokate

As flames and thick smoke rose from the 19th floor of Sachinam Heights on the morning of January 22, Manish Singh, a watchman at the Nana Chowk tower, rushed to alert residents who were still asleep. Singh helped many of them escape the blaze and choking smoke, but himself suffered grievous injuries. On Monday, the 38-year-old became the seventh casualty of the fire.

The fire broke out at the high-rise around 6.45 when most residents were asleep. It left six dead, including three women, on the very day and about 30 injured. Officials said Singh died at Nair hospital during treatment.

Sachinam Heights at Nana Chowk where the fire broke out on Jan 22

Of those who are critical, six are being treated at Bhatia Hospital, while one each is admitted to Masina and Kasturba hospitals.

Sunil Kadam, a society resident, told mid-day, "After the fire started, society Watchman Manish Singh rushed to help others but he got trapped in the fire. He died today. He was such a good human being. Who will inform his family and help them now?"

The fire swept through the 19th and 20th floors of the high-rise

In the One Avighna fire at Currey Road last October, it was a security guard who had braved smoke and fire to help the members of an affected flat. He too got caught in the fire and fell to death from the 19th floor.

The family of Kirit Kantharia has been in intense agony since the Tardeo fire mishap. Kantharia has been missing after the tragedy, while rescuers have pulled out a body that has been charred beyond recognition. Authorities have collected the DNA sample of his family member Yogesh Kantharia to run a match. The test will be done at Nair hospital.

Firefighters at the scene of the mishap on January 22. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Initial investigations have pointed to a short circuit as the trigger for the fire.

Chief Fire officer Hemant Parab said, "We have formed a committee of experts to investigate the incident. The residents cannot go back to their homes till the investigation is over. It will take 5-6 days."

Sunil Kadam, another resident, said, "All residents are middle-class people. The first priority was to save their lives. But most of the houses are open. People rushed out in whatever clothes they were in at the time. We will get food and other things for 1-2 days but nobody has got any financial help yet." He added, "The person behind faulty electrical work of the society should be severely punished."