The lone suspect arrested in connection with the fire that broke out at a shop on Khairani Road on Monday, 18 December, was remanded to police custody till 24 December by an Andheri court, ANI reported.
The fire started in a shop during the early hours of Monday and claimed the lives of 12 workers who were reportedly asleep on the premises.
According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the fire raged at Bhanu Farsan on Khairani Road at 4:17 am in the morning. The fire brigade arrived at the location minutes later, by 4:34 am.
The fire was confined to electric wiring and electric installation, a huge stock of eatables, furniture and sheets at the location. The shop is situated on the ground floor of a building, which partially collapsed owing to the blaze.
A Hindustan Times report stated that the owner of the shop was arrested for violation of safety regulations and negligence.
We asked shop owner Ramesh Bhanushali to submit legal documents, such as his licence, to ensure that these are valid.Navin Reddy, Deputy Commissioner of Police, to HT
Bhanushali had been booked under sections of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligent conduct, among others, of the Indian Penal Code.
Three fire engines, four jumbo tankers and ambulances were deployed at the spot to douse the fire.
According to PS Rahangdale, Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade, “Upon initial enquiry, around 15 workers were residing inside the galla, out of which about 12 people had got trapped on the loft. As per primary information, the fire had started at the ground floor leading to all persons on the loft getting trapped due to intense heat and smoke. The said loft subsequently collapsed due to fire and heat.”
The trapped workers, who were extracted by firemen from the debris and shifted to Rajawadi hospital, were declared dead before arrival.
(With inputs from ANI)
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