BMC pulls out 29 firemen families from staff quarters

On Saturday,the fire brigade received a distress call from residents,citing that the cracks had worsened and the structure might give way. The families,which were evacuated Saturday and Sunday,have been given temporary accommodation in staff quarters across the city.

“We received a call from the residents of the staff quarters. As there was a potential risk to the lives of residents,they were asked to evacuate the building,” said S H Nesrikar,deputy chief fire officer.

The building houses families of grade III and IV employees of the fire department,including firemen and drivers.

However,most families are unhappy with the move. “We were in a festive mood. It came as a surprise when we were asked to leave our homes immediately on Saturday. The administration cannot wake up one day and ask us to leave our houses. The building had been propped up for support for weeks and one should have undertaken measures for repairs,” said a resident.

Last month,the fire brigade found itself in yet another embarrassing situation when the Marol fire

station,which was operating from a dilapidated building in Andheri (east),was shifted to its staff quarters. The next day,however,the fire brigade officials were asked to vacate that building too,as it was also dilapidated.

The building collapse at Dockyard Road on September 27 killed 61 people and injured 33. The 31-year-old ground-plus-four storey BMC-owned market was in a dilapidated state. The building housed about 22 families,a BMC office and a godown on the ground floor. Most of the occupants were BMC employees and their families.

sharvari.patwa@expressindia.com