After Kamala Mills fire, Mumbai civic body targets cinema halls, hospitals that violate norms

Fire report in the Kamala Mills tragedy found several fire violations and non-permitted use of basements like storage units

As a part of its drive against the violation of fire safety, health and building rules, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will now include cinema halls, malls, basements, theatres and hospitals along with shops and restaurants in its drive. The decision was taken after the fire report in the Kamala Mills fire tragedy had found several fire violations and non-permitted use of basements like storage units.

The Kamala Mills fire killed 14 people and injured 55 others. (HT FILE)

Similar orders of the inspections were given by civic chief Ajoy Mehta in August 2015 after massive fire gutted three shops at Kenilworth Mall on Linking Road, Bandra (West). Following the Kamala Mills fire that killed 14 people and injured 55, the BMC had begun a crackdown on eating houses and restaurants that violated norms. All the 24 administrative wards were asked to form a crackdown team for this purpose. On Tuesday, the BMC appointed 34 fire compliance officers for all the 24 civic wards to inspect fire safety compliance maintained by structures across the city. The nominated officials will now carry out joint inspections in the respective wards along with the ward officers to ensure compliance as per the Maharashtra Fire Safety Act, 2006.