Report blames organisers for Make in India fire

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) has squarely blamed organisers M/s Wizcraft International for the fire that broke out in the cultural programme at Girgaum Chowapatty during the Make In India Week event. It has accused them of “wilful” negligence and flouting of fire safety norms, while ascertaining Defective Electric Circuit (DEC) as the cause of the fire.

The massive blaze had gutted the entire stage at the cultural programme ‘Maharashtra Rajani,’ organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and event management firm Wizcraft, as a part of the Make in India events at Girgaum Chowpatty seafront on February 14. Following this, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had asked MFB to carry out a detailed probe of the incident.

The Asian Age, in its report on February 20, had reported that the DEC has been found as the cause of the fire and the organisers had flouted fire safety norms by storing combustible material under the stage on the front side.

“In the no-objection certificate issued by the fire brigade, it was clearly mentioned that LPG shall not be used. In the second inspection, it was again brought to the notice of organisers not to use LPG cylinders. In spite of repeated instructions, no heed was paid by the organisers Wizcraft to follow these safety instructions. It clearly shows wilful negligence and flouting of fire safety norms despite having knowledge of the same,” said the MFB in its 142-page report, which was submitted to the state government.

The likely cause of fire is DEC, as a spark from the electric wirings came in contact with combustible material underneath the stage. It was contributed by negligence of the organisers by storing highly combustible material below the stage that aggravated the fire, it stated.

The report said the electric spark from the wirings possibly came in contact with large quantities of inflammable materials such as plywood, painting material, adhesives, cloth etc. Fifteen full-charged gas cylinders were also brought in for creating an image of Lord Ganesh by flames. The fire spread rapidly due to combustible material stored below the stage.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said that Wizcraft has been made scapegoat in the fire report. “The chief minister should be held responsible, as his state government was holding the event. Instead the blame has been put on the organisers,” he said.

Sanjay Kirloskar, chairman, CII Western Region, said Wizcraft was mandated by CII to execute and organise the cultural performance and it was unfortunate that an electrical spark could cause such a fire.