Developer, contractor and supervisor of the building booked after three deaths in fire

The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by third-floor resident Mahesh Patel, whose aunt Madhu Patel (53) and niece Priya (24) were seriously injured in the fire and later died during treatment. Another woman, Shanti Gosai (74), also sustained serious burn injuries and was declared dead on the same day, September 7, the day of the incident.

According to the police, the fire broke out in the afternoon of September 7 in the basement of the building and spread through the electrical duct and wiring up to the third floor. While the blaze itself remained confined to the lower levels, thick smoke travelled all the way up to the 23rd floor, injuring many residents due to suffocation.

The fire brigade informed police that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the electrical unit. For rescue operations, the fire brigade deployed eight fire engines, eight jumbo tankers, two special appliances including ladders and hydraulic platforms, and a breathing apparatus at the site.

“The FIR was registered under Sections 106, 125(a), and 125(b) of the BNS against the suspects. Legal action will be taken against them after the investigation,” said a police officer from Dahisar police station.

In his statement, Mahesh Patel said, “I was at home along with my mother, wife, daughter, aunt Madhu Patel, and niece Priya, 24, when the fire broke out in the building. Priya was physically impaired. As soon as I noticed smoke on the floor and residents were shouting, I decided to rush out of the building along with my family members.”

He added, “We started running downstairs. But my aunt Madhu and niece Priya were left on the second floor and got trapped with several other residents.”

Both Madhu and Priya were later rescued but had suffered severe burn injuries. Madhu was admitted to Shatabdi Hospital, Kandivali, and Priya to Rohit Nursing Home. Due to their critical condition, both were shifted to Tunga Hospital, Malad, where they succumbed during treatment, said the police.

Another resident, Shanti Gosai (74), who was trying to escape to the upper floors, was overcome by heat and smoke in a passageway and died on the same day.