Following a devastating fire that claimed seven lives, including four young girls, and left 62 injured in Goregaon’s Jay Bhavani SRA building, the BMC commissioner has established a committee at the direction of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The committee, chaired by Additional Municipal Commissioner Sudhakar Shinde and comprising officials from BMC, SRA, Mhada, and the Mumbai Fire Brigade, will examine the fire’s cause, determine accountability, assess the functionality of fire-fighting systems, and propose preventive measures.
The tragic incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, was believed to have been triggered by a short-circuit in the stilt parking area and exacerbated by a pile of old clothes. Five individuals remain in critical condition among the injured.
“The committee’s initial meeting is scheduled for Monday,” stated Shinde.
A BMC official emphasized the need for the committee to address various aspects, including the safety of existing SRA buildings and those under construction, in an effort to prevent future fire incidents. “The design and room sizes of these approved SRA buildings should be reevaluated,” the official added.
While 45-50 residents from the fire-affected building have been temporarily accommodated at a nearby municipal school, complaints about food distribution and inadequate facilities have surfaced. Restoration work, including cleaning and the reinstatement of electricity and water supply, is being jointly undertaken by the BMC and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).
Meanwhile, the treasurer of the neighboring Samarth Shrushti B-Wing Housing Society has called for the state government and BMC to provide residents with the building’s structural audit and fire compliance reports to ensure their safety before returning home. Efforts to restore essential utilities like power, water, and gas connections are also underway, as numerous flats suffered damage to pipelines, air-conditioning units, and geysers during the tragic incident.
