Mumbai Fire: Builder, Flat Owners Ignored BMC Warnings

Residents and builder of Crystal Tower were asked to evacuate in 2016.

The fire was confined to the 12th, 13th and 14th floors of Crystal Tower.

(Photo courtesy: PTI/Shashank Parade)

A day after four people lost their lives in a massive blaze that broke out in a 17-storey residential building in Mumbai’s Parel, the developer of the building, Abdul Razak Supariwala has been remanded to police custody till 27 August. Supariwala has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and endangering life among other sections of the Indian Penal Code. He has also been booked under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act 2006.

Even as the police carries out its investigation, for the 58 families who were residing in the ill-fated Crystal Tower apartment, the last 36 hours have been nothing short of a nightmare.

Builder, Residents Ignored Warnings?

In October 2016, the BMC had issued a notice to builder Abdul Razak Supariwala and the 58 flat owners. The civic body had asked the residents to vacate the building within 7 days as the building lacked the required permissions for occupation.

Here’s an excerpt from the notice, “It has been occupied without having been certified as completed in accordance with the MMC Act 1888. I have therefore, to request you to have the building vacated within seven days and not to be reoccupied until it is duly certified.”

The notice was challenged in court and the matter is still sub-judice. When asked about their reason to refrain from vacating the apartment, resident Rajinder Kapoor said the builder lied to the residents.

He told me that he has applied for the Occupancy Certificate (OC). He said this to all of us.

Rajinder Kapoor, resident, Crystal Tower 

A resident packs his bags and leaves his home at Crystal Tower. (Photo: The Quint)

With no Occupancy Certificate, the building lacked even the most basic firefighting system, making the fire brigade’s job doubly difficult.

Their fire system was not working and because of that, we had to take all our resources to the upper floor. Vertical fires are always difficult to handle if your fire systems are not working. The fire pump and the riser were not working. Luckily, the affected floors had a refuge, that’s why we could rescue people. But the building has been declared unsafe. We are carrying out an inspection, a detailed report will be given.

Prabhat Rahangdale, Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai 

What’s The Status Of The Building Now?

Water and electricity supply to Crystal Plaza have been disconnected since the fire broke out. With the building completely sealed by the fire brigade, residents have no choice but to pack their bags and move out.

Lionel D’Souza, a resident of the 10th floor of the building, waited outside the apartment gate as his wife packed their valuables in a rush. Forced to leave everything else behind for now, Lionel and his family is temporarily moving to a relative’s place.

They are having one meeting after another. Once this is resolved, we will get our home back but when will this be resolved? We have no idea. So, for now we have to move out.

Lionel D’Souza, resident, Crystal Tower 

Electricity and water supply connections to Crystal Tower have been disconnected.(Photo: The Quint)

Aniruddh Jain, a resident of the 14th floor, whose section of the building was one of the worst affected, is now moving in with a friend till he finds alternative accommodation. “I stayed with a friend last night and then I heard that today they are allowing residents to come and just pick up some essential items. I took some of my clothes and a few important things.”

Aniruddh Jain, another resident, packs his bags and leaves for his friend’s place.(Photo: The Quint)

Not everyone however, is ready to vacate their home without a fight. Seventy-three-year-old Rajinder Kapoor refuses to move out of his apartment with his wife. One of the oldest residents of Crystal Tower, Kapoor says he will fight a legal battle to stay on.

I have told the authorities that I cannot afford an accommodation outside. This is my home and I will continue to live here at my own risk.

Rajinder Kapoor, resident, Crystal Tower