The MIDC police on Wednesday arrested two people in connection with the fire at the ESIC Hospital in Andheri that claimed nine lives on Monday.
Police officials said an FIR was registered against four employees of Supreme Constructions, the company that had the contract for the expansion of the hospital building. “We have booked the accused for causing death by negligence and endangering life or personal safety of others along with relevant sections of the Maharashta Fire Security and Safety Act,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone X) Navinchandra Reddy told The Hindu .
The arrested accused are Nilesh Neta, the site supervisor in charge of the project, and his assistant, Nitin Kamble, who was in charge of wiring and electrical work. Two welders, whose alleged negligence caused the fire to break out, have also been named as accused and are expected to be arrested by Wednesday night or Thursday morning, officers said.
“The welding work was being carried out without any fire safety precautions. For now, those who were found to be directly responsible for the fire have been named as accused. Inquiries are under way to find out who else was responsible, including the hospital staff,” a police officer said.
The Hindu reached out to Harjeet Singh from Supreme Constructions, whose contact details are mentioned on the firm’s website. However, Mr. Singh disconnected the call on being asked about the arrests, and did not respond to subsequent attempts to contact him via text message or email.
Fresh fire
Meanwhile, a fresh fire was reported on the ESIC Hospital, Marol, premises on Wednesday evening. Fire Brigade officials said the blaze broke out in a meter box near the hospital building and was reported to the Fire Brigade Control Room at 7.54 p.m. A fire tender was rushed to the spot, but the blaze was brought under control by locals by the time it reached the location. The fire was completely extinguished by 8.34 p.m., officials said.
