Mumbai: A week after the Kamala Mills blaze which killed 14 people, the fire department has concluded that the flying embers from lighted charcoal used in the hookah at the Mojo's Bistro is the probable cause of the fire. It is believed that the embers came in contact with the decorative curtains at the restaurant, which were combustible in nature, thus causing the fire to spread rapidly, fanned through a pedestal fan.
The report makes it clear that the source of the fire was from Mojo's restaurant and not 1 Above. According to the report, the high velocity of winds and combustible decorative furniture caused the fire to spread rapidly and came in contact with the unauthorised combustible thatched roof of 1 Above restaurant.
The report states, "In view of statement of witnesses and the observations, the probable cause of the fire is derived as 'flying embers' ie burning/ lighted flying embers from the lighted charcoal sigree came in contact with the combustible cloth material used for curtain in Mojo's restaurant and very rapidly spread to the unauthorised highly combustible thatched roof of 1 Above restaurant (where no permission was issued)." Both restaurants were conducting hookah/smoking activities in the premises and the fixed fire fighting systems in both restaurants were not in working condition, reveals the report.
No permissions had been given to the restaurant for building the roof made up of bamboo and tarpaulin sheets. "The report has been prepared after taking into consideration, statements of the eye-witnesses present, video clippings etc," said a senior fire official. The probe report stated that the supposed cause has been derived also through the video clippings posted by people on social media, which will be verified by the police department. "The supposed cause of the fire is kept open for any changes in future, if any authorised agency puts forth with the reliable evidence which needs to be accepted by the fire brigade authority," states the report.
In the action suggested by the report, the fire department has revoked the NOC given by them to both restaurants due to non-compliance of fire safety norms. A notice has already been issue to the owners of the building for deficiencies/ deviations with respect to fire fighting under Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act.
Also ward officers will verify the trade licenses and trade activities of both restaurants as well as the entire building and initiate action if any violation is found.
Meanwhile, two managers of the 1Above pub, who were arrested by the police on December 31, have been made scapegoats, said sources. They have also claimed that out of the five managers, four were present on the night.
