Fifth fire in Mumbai since Kamala Mills blaze; this time Sessions' Court next to Rajabai Towers

A fire broke out on the third floor of a sessions’ court near the University of Mumbai’s South Mumbai campus next to Rajabai Towers.

The fire had occurred in court room no. 34 which is on the third floor. The court registrar said that investigations were still on and it was difficult to say how it happened. Proceedings of the court have now been shifted to court room no. 15.

Court staffers who stood outside guessed and said among themselves that a welding work had taken place and may be due to wind a fire occurred. Court officials however did not say anything on record.

The fire burnt part of the roof and wood that supported the roof on the left side as one enters the court room. Due to fire, melted material could be seen on one of the ceiling fans.    

This is the fifth fire reported in Mumbai since December 28 midnight – the fateful night when a restaurant in Kamala Mills, Lower Parel caught fire due to charcoal burning from a hookah that killed 14 people.

Since then, fires have broken out in Marol in Andheri East, killing a family of four, Nagpada in Mumbai Central, Cinevista film studio in Kanjurmarg, and another fire in Lower Parel.

A report by DNA found that 4,647 high-rises inspected by the city’s fire department had not adhered to fire safety norms. They only complied after legal notices were sent to them.

Another report also highlighted the strength of Mumbai’s fire brigade. If the current staff strength is considered, then each officer must inspect over 1,100 buildings every six months — that is if he does not take a single day of leave. It means every officer must inspect six buildings a day without taking a single day's break.

With more cases of fires being reported from the city, one can only wonder on the safety of Mumbaikars even inside their own homes.