Residents of Nagpada bldg saved from blaze that tore through basement as they were away for Friday prayers
The fire began in a workshop in the basement of the building. Pic/Bipin Kokate
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Friday prayers saved residents of Nagpada's Zia building from being victims of a fire tragedy. A major blaze broke out in the basement of the six-floor building last afternoon; no injuries or casualties were reported. However, the three workshops located in the basement have suffered major losses. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
When the fire broke out around 12 pm, many residents were already out to attend Friday prayers. This helped the fire brigade douse the fire within half an hour. The building, which has 50 flats, houses 200-odd residents. Its basement has workshops for mobile accessories, embroidery businesses and a storage unit for a garment shop. But these businesses are illegal, allege residents.
"After several years of complaints, finally in 2013, the fire department held an inspection, which showed that it [the basement] is dangerous. However, when the same report was sent to the BMC, it said the structures were not found to be dangerous," said Rasheed Hawa, committee member of the society.
Rizwan Khan, another resident, said, "The workshop where the fire began was a major threat. Equipment and other objects [stored there] were fire hazards. Residents and the committee had given its owner several warnings. When none were heeded, the committee had decided to meet this weekend to discuss the issue."
"They have illegally built toilets inside businesses. People working in the workshops sometimes stay there, and work goes on 24/7," said Imtiyaz Siddiqui, a resident. Divisional fire officer P B Bhosale said, "The department will conduct an inquiry to ascertain the cause."
When asked about the fire department's 2013 report declaring the basement as a fire hazard, Bhosale added, "The ball is in BMC's court. Fire department has done its work." Sahebrao Gaikwad, assistant BMC commissioner, said, "The report is from 2013. I'll have to verify it. There might have been some action then and this business must have restarted after that. We will conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action."
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