Mumbai: Probe ordered into Bandra mall’s ‘irregularities’, prolonged firefighting ops

The charred remains of the Link Square Mall in Bandra West on Thursday. Pics/Ashish Raje

The cooling of Link Square Mall in Bandra West was still underway two days after a massive fire broke out in one of the three-storey structure's basements around 3.58 am on Tuesday. The intense blaze was extinguished only by 1 am on Wednesday, April 30. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put up a notice stating that entry would be allowed only after a structural audit of the gutted shopping centre is conducted.

"Two fire engines have been stationed at the spot," a Mumbai Fire Brigade official told mid-day. According to officials, the remains of the structure would be inspected only after the cooling operation was over. Amid allegations about illegal alterations to the mall's structure and firefighters taking far too much time to put out the fire, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani ordered that an inquiry be conducted under Joint Municipal Commissioner D Gangadharan, which will be completed in two weeks. Officials will check to see whether there had been any lapses on the part of everyone involved and why it took an inordinate amount of time to extinguish the fire.

The BMC notice warning citizens against entering the mall; mid-day's April 30 report

mid-day on April 30 revealed how the fire had spread as the building was not properly ventilated, and the sprinklers that were part of its internal firefighting system were not functioning automatically. "While firefighting, it was noticed that there were some alterations to the building, which posed hurdles to us," alleged a Mumbai Fire Brigade official.

Meanwhile, officials from the BMC's H West ward office posted a notice at the mall's entrance, mentioning that the possibility of structural damage due to the fire could not be ruled out. "Since it is prima facie dangerous to enter the building, a letter has also been issued by the municipal corporation to the chairman and secretary to conduct a structural audit of the building through a registered licensed surveyor.

However, no one should enter the building until the structural audit report and structural stability certificate are received and the building is declared safe. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will not be responsible for any injury or loss of life caused by entering the building," the notice reads. "We posted the notice as there is always the possibility of people entering the mall," said an official.