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As many as 33 persons lost their lives in fire-related incidents in Mumbai in 2023 so far, according to the data by Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), which puts the number highest since 2020. The data also show that this year, Mumbai recorded the highest number of calls related to fire-related disasters in four years.
According to the data, the MFB received 4,721 fire calls between January and December so far this year, while 290 persons were injured and 33 people lost their lives — more than double the numbers in 2022. The data also state that during Diwali this year, MFB recorded 655 calls which is the highest, followed by 519 in February and 503 in June.
The MFB data also state that in 2022, total 4,417 fire calls were recorded, while 13 persons lost their lives and 160 persons were injured. In 2021, the MFB recorded 4,065 fire calls, while 19 persons died and 173 were injured.
In 2020, the year of Covid, 18 persons died in fire-related incidents and 95 were injured, while the MFB recorded 4,200 fire calls. In 2019, the MFB recorded 20 deaths and 248 injuries. MFB officials said that more than 70 per cent of these fire incidents are reported due to electric circuit failure.
“Majority of the fire incidents originate from the electrical parts of the building such as circuit box, meter box or wiring panels. This happens due to shoddy electrical installations that don’t get checked for long. There needs to be a mandatory provision for electrical audits in residential and commercial buildings. The BMC and MFB are coordinating with the state’s energy department to incorporate guidelines,” said a senior MFB official.
This year, the maximum number of deaths were reported in the October 6 fire incident that took place in Goregaon’s Jai Bhavani Building in which eight persons died.
On August 27, three persons, including two non-residential Indians (NRI), died in a fire incident at a hotel in Santacruz. On December 4, a blaze broke out from the circuit box of a Girgaon building, in which two people lost their lives.
While fire in the Goregaon building was caused due to discarded scrap items, the blaze in Santacruz hotel originated from one of the air-condition ducts.
In January 2022, eight persons lost their lives after a fire broke out in a residential building in South Mumbai’s Tardeo, following a short circuit. MFB officials also maintained that most of the fire incidents are being reported in high rises.
“Even though newly constructed residential buildings have their inbuilt fire fighting systems, most of the buildings that were constructed in early 2000s doesn’t have it. Most of the fire incidents in these buildings become difficult to control, leading to loss of lives,” the official said.
Dr Vikram Mehta, an expert in the fire-fighting industry, said, “The state is looking for stricter norms as Mumbai has seen loss of 65 lives and 623 casualties in three years. Better evacuation infrastructure, BIS-certified wiring, regular fire safety audits and mandatory electrical audits will prevent future mishaps. Safer living is the need of the hour.”
Mumbai has 35 fire stations and 19 mini fire stations for rescue operations. Recently, at ward level, 22 Quick Response Vehicles (QRV) were introduced to tackle fire incidents at the ward level. These QRVs are designed to move through congested and narrow lanes.
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