In a concerning trend, a second fire occurred within a week in South Mumbai, this time at Nathani Heights, a 21-storey residential building in Agripada. Fortunately, all six families were safely evacuated, and no casualties were reported in this level 1 fire. The blaze originated in the electrical duct between the 5th and 15th floors, prompting a swift response from the Mumbai Fire Brigade. The building's upgraded inbuilt firefighting system played a crucial role in managing the situation. The incident underlines the importance of adhering to fire safety norms and regulations, emphasizing the need for residents to comply with guidelines and promote responsible electrical usage to prevent future incidents.
In a disconcerting recurrence, a fire broke out earlier this week at Nathani Heights, a 21-storey residential building in Agripada, South Mumbai. The incident marked the second fire in a housing society in the region within a week. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in this level 1 fire, with all six families in the affected building safely evacuated. The blaze, originating in the electrical duct between the 5th and 15th floors, triggered a swift response from the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Notably, the building's inbuilt firefighting system, which had been previously upgraded following a show cause notice for non-compliance, played a crucial role in managing the situation, according to Ravindra Ambulgekar, the chief fire officer. Ambulgekar revealed that a notice had been issued to the society in August, urging compliance with firefighting norms. The society's subsequent upgrades proved effective during Monday's incident, allowing seamless coordination with the fire brigade. Despite the fire being contained within the duct, dense black smoke permeated the building's corridor and floors. Fire officials highlighted a common issue where flat owners thread cables through ducts but neglect to seal openings, often leading to such incidents. The firefighting operation, lasting over an hour, successfully extinguished the flames by around 9.50 am. This incident follows another fire in a MHADA building in Byculla on November 23, also traced back to a duct, enveloping the entire building in dense smoke. Fire officials, including Sawant, emphasised the dangers of increased power consumption due to the use of multiple instruments on a single socket, citing examples like granite cutting. The resulting overheating of cables or electric wiring codes can potentially lead to a short circuit. Sawant also underscored the importance of keeping emergency doors closed to prevent smoke spread. A fortunate resident credited the watchman for timely action in shutting off mains, preventing further damage during ongoing retrofitting work. Luckily, there were no casualties or loss of belongings reported in either incident as also only the passage area was affected and the flats are completely safe from any damages. These incidents underscore the critical importance of adhering to fire safety norms and regulations. The recurrence of fires in such a short span highlights potential lapses in building safety standards. Residents are urged to comply with regulations, seal openings in electrical ducts, and avoid overloading sockets. Additionally, awareness campaigns emphasising responsible electrical usage and the significance of emergency protocols can contribute to preventing such incidents in the future. Vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines remain paramount to safeguard lives and property.
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