Ash Wednesday on Black set

Although the cost of the damage is yet to be ascertained, sources from Bhansali’s unit pegged it close to Rs 1 crore. The film-maker was not available for comments.

What sparked off the fire is yet to be ascertained. The Fire Department said it could have been a short circuit, but two LPG gas cylinders had also burst on the sets. ‘‘We don’t know if the cylinders burst first or the fire broke out due to the short circuit,’’ said Vishwas Kulkarni, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade.

Film City’s safety norms do not permit cylinders on sets. ‘‘Bhansali did not take our permission. We can’t say more till the investigations are complete,’’ said Sanjeevanee Kutty, MD, Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd.

Arun Patil, in-charge of special effects, said, ‘‘One of the set boys was varnishing when he put a plug into the socket and it sparked. We were just about to shoot a scene about a fire in a school, with a blind child caught in the middle.’’

Bhansali’s Devdas was also dogged by disaster. In December 2000, an attendant died when the blades of a giant fan came off and hit him. Later, in August 2001, a lightman met with an accident and died on the spot. Again in September 2001, a fire broke out, causing severe damage to the equipment.

Dr Vimal Mundada, State Culture Minister, said there would be an inquiry into today’s fire. ‘‘We let studios to film people on rent. Though we try to stick to safety guidelines, we need the industry’s cooperation.’’

The unit of Black had just returned from an outdoor shoot in Shimla and had booked Floor No.16 till March-end.