Mumbai Chief Fire Officer dies of burns

The toll in the May 9 Kalbadevi fire goes up to four.

May 24, 2015 09:56 pm | Updated May 31, 2015 01:16 pm IST - MUMBAI

Mumbai’s Fire department received a body blow on Sunday as its Chief Fire Officer Sunil H. Nesarikar succumbed to burn injuries sustained two weeks ago while battling a devastating blaze in the Kalbadevi area here.

Mr. Nesarikar sustained 50 per cent injuries while fighting fire at the Gokul Niwas building at the congested Kalbadevi area in south Mumbai.

He died following multiple organ failure, said an official from the National Burns Centre in Airoli where he was treated.

With his death, the toll in the May 9 fire had gone up to four. The devastating fire had wiped out the top rank of the Mumbai Fire department.

Mr. Nesarikar and three other fire officers were caught in the building debris while a part of the building collapsed during fire-fighting operations. Two senior officers, M.N Desai and S. Rane, died before getting medical attention while Sudhir Amin, Deputy Fire Officer, and Mr. Nesarikar were grievously injured.

Mr. Amin, who was battling 90 per cent burns, succumbed to his injuries last week.

Condolences pour in

The fire chief’s passing triggered a wave of sympathy with public and political leaders taking to social media to express condolences. Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule said Mr. Nesarikar would be remembered for his commitment. “It hurts more when such incidents r avoidable,” she tweeted.

The last rites will be performed on Monday.

Mr. Nesarikar is survived by his mother, wife Jayashree and son Sidhant.

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