Fire won't affect other 'Make in India Week' events, says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: The showpiece 'Make in India Week' event here was on Sunday night hit by a tragedy when a massive fire gutted the stage at a cultural event being held at Girgaum Chowpatty seafront.

Here are 10 important developments related to the incident:

- The fire broke out beneath the stage at around 8.22 pm. It was brought under control swiftly by firemen. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present at the event and personally supervised the evacuation, told reporters: “No casualties reported, no one is injured."

- When the fire occurred, a string of film celebrities and political leaders were present. All the VVIPs, including Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, were safely evacuated. The programme was later called off. Bachchan had left the stage a few minutes before the fire started.

- The disaster management plan put in place ensured the safe passage of the people attending the event "Maharashtra Rajni", Fadnavis said. Thousands present at the venue were swiftly evacuated, officials said.

- The fire, which broke out one hour after the entertainment segment had begun, was extinguished in quick time by 14 fire engines and 10 water tankers.

- The fire started during a 'lavani' (dance) performance by folk artist. Reports say firecrackers caused the fire which soon engulfed the entire stage made of wood and cloth. Shiv Sena MLA Vijay Shivtare said a spark was noticed beneath the stage. Sea breeze caused the fire to spread quickly

- As per Shivtare, there were 500 artistes behind the stage and an estimated 50,000 people, several of them VIPs, were at the venue.

- The Supreme Court had on Wednesday stayed a Bombay High Court order and allowed the Maharashtra government to hold an event at Girgaum Chowpatty beach to kick-start the 'Make in India Week' programme, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

- Fadnavis announced a comprehensive inquiry into the fire incident.

- The Maharashtra CM said the fire would not have any impact on other 'Make in India' events.

- "I was watching a dance performance when this happened, then suddenly the stage was engulfed by smoke. I was backstage when this happened. Authorities were quick to react and evacuated people from there," actor Isha Koppikar said, as per PTI.

(With agency inputs)