Bandra Link Square Mall Fire: BMC's Vigilance Dept Probes Illegal Alterations, Firefighting Lapses

The BMC's Vigilance Department has launched an inquiry into the massive fire that gutted nearly 200 shops at Link Square Mall in Bandra last week. As part of the investigation, officials have sought layout details from the Development Plan (DP) department to examine whether any illegal alterations were made. The probe also aims to identify lapses in firefighting measures that may have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. 

Officials from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) are conducting an inspection and investigation into the incident, which includes a thorough review of the building’s approvals, fire safety clearances, and related documentation. In a separate inquiry, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has appointed Joint Commissioner D. Gangadharan to lead an in-depth probe to determine whether there were any operational lapses during the firefighting efforts. Gangadharan who also leads a vigilance department is expected to submit to inquiry report in a week. 

Civic sources revealed that the layout plans of the fire-hit structure have been sought from the DP department to aid the investigation. The inquiry will examine what caused the delay in firefighting operations, the reasons behind the rapid escalation of the blaze, and whether there were any lapses on the part of the fire brigade. Preliminary findings suggest that the rapid spread of the fire was due to a non-functional fire-fighting system and the absence of a proper ventilation system in the building. 

A massive fire broke out on April 29 in the basement-level Croma showroom of a ground-plus-three-storey building, quickly intensifying into a Level 4 blaze(serious fire). The MFB took nearly 22 hours to douse the flames, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of its response. NCP leader Zeeshan Siddique had criticised the MFB for its delayed and inadequate action, which he said contributed to the complete destruction of the structure.