A day after a fire in a Mahalaxmi building killed one, life slowly returned to normal for its residents. While there was no electricity for a while, the builder has started repair work. Residents spent the night at relatives’ homes while the five victims in hospital remain critical.
A major fire broke out in the A-1 wing of Samrat Ashok, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority building, early Sunday morning. The fire started in the electric duct on the first floor and the smoke travelled to the top of the 18-storey building, while its residents were still sleeping. It was extinguished only after 5.30 a.m.
On Monday, three patients admitted in the civic-run Nair Hospital continued to be critical. Parth Solanki (10) is on a ventilator. His sister Pragati (12) has regained consciousness but is critical. A 60-year-old man too is on a ventilator in a critical condition. “The heat and smoke inhalation have caused severe damage to their internal organs. The senior citizen’s face was completely dark, with the thick layer of smoke he was in,” said Dr. Ramesh Bharmal, Dean of Nair Hospital, adding all the patients are under constant observation. Two senior citizens admitted to the Bhatia Hospital in Tardeo, Raghav Baria (74) and Valiben Baria (58), also remain critical. “Both have inhalation burns with carbon monoxide poisoning and are on ventilators,” a hospital spokesperson said.
Uncertain situation
Meanwhile, the situation at the building remained uncertain. Ashish Pagare (40), a resident of the 9th floor, said some people stayed over at their relatives’ place while others stayed back. Leela Sarviya (44), a seventh-floor resident, said her family made arrangements for the elderly to stay elsewhere. Moreover, there were thefts during the day in the past, and the residents feared there would be more during the night. “Some women stay alone and we kept checking on each other,” she said. A resident, who did not wish to be named, said, “My sister did not feel well after the incident. She has been vomiting since yesterday due to the smoke. She could not see a doctor either because of the situation in the house.”
Four pregnant women were rescued from their houses after the incident. Chetan Dharia (28), a resident, said, “My wife is pregnant and could not breathe properly yesterday. She could not feel the baby’s movements either.”
The society, with the builders’ help, has managed to make electricity available.
Reports awaited
The building’s office-bearers and the builder, M/S Joyas Housing Ltd., were issued a notice by the Fire Brigade on October 10 for non-compliance of fire safety measures. The Fire Brigade filed a police complaint against the society under the Fire Act on Sunday. Sanjay Surve, senior police inspector, Tardeo police station, said, “We are waiting for reports from the BMC and the fire department. Once they are out, we will find out who is liable.”
