After massive fire, BMC demolishes illegal structures in Kamala Mills area

A massive fire in Kamala Mills Complex on Thursday night had left 14 people dead prompting BMC to act against illegal structures.

MUMBAI: A day after a massive fire in Kamala Mills Complex left 14 people dead, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun demolishing the illegal structures in the area. BMC officers were on Saturday seen demolishing structures which do not have valid permits in Lower Parel.

As per the plan, officials have been divided into two teams to demolish illegal buildings in other areas like Raghuvanshi Mills and Peninsula Bypass park too.

Photo: ZeeNews

The civic body had on Friday suspended five officers for dereliction of duty in connection with the massive blaze in the Kamala Mills compound.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) demolition drive against illegal structures in #KamalaMills area of #Mumbai, a fire that broke out here late Thursday night, claimed 14 lives. pic.twitter.com/qODi4TGeae — ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2017

BMC's demolition drive against illegal structures in #KamalaMills area of #Mumbai, a fire that broke out here late Thursday night, claimed 14 lives. pic.twitter.com/w71mc27yP8 — ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2017

There have been allegations that civic authorities turned a blind eye to the construction of irregular structures and did not pay attention to those violating fire safety norms in the compound.

An investigation is underway to ascertain whether flames during a fire stunt by a bartender at the Mumbai pub, burning coal used for hookah or a short circuit led to the tragedy claimed 14 lives.

The blaze had started after 12.30 am on Friday at the '1 Above' pub on the terrace of Trade House Building in Kamala Mills compound in Lower Parel, a commercial hub, resulting in collapse of its bamboo-propped canopy. The fire, which left several people injured, also engulfed Mojo's Bistro, a pub a storey below. Most of the 14 victims died of asphyxiation.

The police have booked Hratesh Sanghvi, Jigar Sanghvi and Abhijeet Manka of C Grade Hospitality, which manages the pub, along with others, under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).

Among those killed was Khushbu Bansali, the woman who was celebrating her 29th birthday at '1 Above' pub in upscale Parel's Kamala Mill compound, and several of her friends.