The fire in Mumbai’s Kamala Mills in Lower Parel area that claimed 14 lives on Friday night was started due to a short circuit, as per the probe conducted by Mumbai Police.
An official on the condition of anonymity told The Indian Express, “The restro-bar had used tarpaulin sheets which are inflammable in nature. Minutes after the short circuit, the entire outlet was engulfed in fire due to the tarpaulin sheets.”
The police investigation further revealed that the manager and staff of ‘1 Above’ restaurant fled away without helping those who were trapped, the officer said.
Negligence on the part of the pub led to the death of 14 customers and injuries to several others. The manager and other staff of the pub ran away from the spot without helping those injured in the blaze.Police
Meanwhile, a civic official said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had taken action against the pub more than three times for "violations".
According to the official, the pub had obtained the fire safety and building permissions from the civic body in October 2016.
"However, as '1 Above' flouted the rules and regulations by way of encroachment and other violations, the BMC had taken legal action against its management on 27 May for using the open space for commercial activities," he said.
Meanwhile, the fire brigade officials on Saturday said they were probing whether flames during a fire stunt by a bartender, burning coal used for hookah or a short circuit caused the tragedy.
We are probing if the flames created during a fire stunt by a bartender at the pub came in contact with plastic sheets that covered the bamboo structure and triggered the blaze. We are also trying to find out whether the burning coal used for hookah at the adjacent restaurant led to the tragedy.Fire department official
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