Five BMC officials face axe after 14 killed in ‘1 Above’ pub fire, CM calls for safety audit

Mumbai, Dec 29: It was a happy moment for them. All those gathered at the ‘1 Above Pub’ in Kamla Mills compound in Lower Parel on the intervening night of Thursday were engaged in merry-making and exchanging birthday wishes and compliments to 28-yer-old Khushboo Bhansali.

Her face beaming with the glow from candles around, Khushboo spoke to her mother and the later blessed her on her birthday. And minutes after everything changed.

The sudden fire that broke on this rooftop restaurant choked 14 to death and injuring another 15. Shortly after the midnight the fire broke out and engulfed the entire area. The terrified women took shelter in a washroom but they were choked to death. Another group of people took shelter in the gents’ washroom and they were saved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock over the incident and shared his grief with the victims and their family members.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis personally visited the place of mishap and orders suspension of five officers of the BMC. The Chief Minister reviewed the situation and promised tough action against those found guilty in this case.

He said that suitable FIR would be lodged against the owner or director of the restaurant. “No one will be spared in this case”, the Chief Minister said. He said that the BMC Commissioner has been asked to conduct probe into this accident.

Meanwhile, the BMC waking up to situation said that it will take up safety audit of all the rooftop restaurants under its jurisdiction. The BMC and the fire brigade on Friday suggested that 1 Above had flouted the norms while setting up the rooftop bar.

However, the ‘1 Above’ pub management came out with a statement that all the fire safety measures were in place and there was no violation of any kind.

The issue found its way into the Parliament today. BJP MP from Mumbai Kirit Somaiyya alleged that this restaurant was illegal. Shiv Sena MP countered his contention.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of BMC said that he was not in the know of any such accident and defended his ignorance also.

On Friday, Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar said that one needed to review several parameters before handing over permissions to rooftop restaurants in future, while the owners of the Mojo, which is located a floor below 1 Above, where the fire broke out said, “We are extremely saddened by the incident. Mojo's has all its fire safety norms, certificates and procedures in place. The staff are thoroughly trained in fire drills hence our staff were able to evacuate all our guests and themselves out to safety with zero injury. There were NO cylinders on our premises. We are fully complying with the authorities to help in any way we can.”