No Fire Safety System in SoBo High-Rise Where 2 Died; Notice Being Issued

Mumbai, February 18, 2025 – The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated action following a tragic fire at Panna Ali Mansion in Masjid Bunder, which resulted in the death of two residents on Sunday morning. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) is set to issue a notice to the building management for failing to comply with mandatory fire safety regulations.

On Monday, a team from the Mumbai Fire Brigade conducted an inspection of the 12-storey residential building and found that it lacked a firefighting system, a violation of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measure Act. This non-compliance has prompted the fire department to prepare a notice for the management.

As part of enforcement measures, the BMC has begun removing temporary unauthorized constructions on the building's terrace, which may have further complicated the fire response. However, officials stated that a detailed review of the building’s records, including permissions and pending legal disputes, is still being conducted before further action is taken.

The fire broke out at around 6:11 am on Sunday in the common meter box and electric installations on the ground floor of the building. Though the fire was extinguished by 6:31 am, the thick smoke spread rapidly through the building, leading to fatalities and injuries.

Two women, identified as Sajiya Alam Shaikh (30) and Sabila Khatun Shaikh (42), succumbed to suffocation caused by the smoke. Both victims were declared dead at J J Hospital. Three other residents were hospitalized with injuries from smoke inhalation, though their conditions were stable, with one of them remaining at J J Hospital and the others at G T Hospital.

The incident highlights the lack of preparedness in the building and the difficulty fire engines faced in accessing the site due to parked trucks and vehicles blocking the lanes. Despite these challenges, emergency responders, including the fire brigade, police, and BEST staff, worked together to evacuate the building and contain the situation.

The incident has raised questions about the enforcement of fire safety norms in high-rise buildings across the city, prompting authorities to take swift action. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out, and the building's management will be held accountable for the lapses in safety measures.