Mumbai pub blaze: Illegal washroom at 1Above blocked fire exit

The fire exit near the washroom was covered with a tarpaulin and other material, obstructing its view for the victims, said an officer

With large chunks of burning material falling on them, patrons of rooftop restaurant 1Above sought refuge in its washroom, which later turned into a death chamber, found a preliminary investigation by the NM Joshi Marg police into the Kamala Mills fire.  The fire exit near the washroom was covered with a tarpaulin and other material, obstructing its view for the victims, said an officer.

The restaurant after the fire. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

The officer said the illegal washroom had reduced the exit space to an extent that only one person could use it at a time.

The police said the 14 victims had gone to 1Above for dinner. This was the reason that the police have booked the owners of 1Above not Mojo’s, said the officer.

The fire is suspected to have started from 1Above and later spread to adjoining restaurant Mojo Bistro at Kamala Mills early on December 29, killing 14 people and injuring 55 others. According to the police, the 14 victims were dining at 1Above.

When the fire broke out, Mojo Bistro’s staff promptly led their 35 patrons to main passageway leading to the main exit, revealed the officer. In a stark contrast, all 1Above staff except one manager allegedly fled the spot without helping its trapped patrons.

Another reason, the police said, for higher casualties was the interiors of 1Above, which hindered dispersing of smoke.

“All victims suffocated to death at 1Above because its terrace was fully covered. But Mojo Bistro’s space was partially covered. This helped smoke disperse, giving time to its patrons to escape toxic gases,” said the officer.

“To avoid burns, women hid in the toilet which was constructed illegally and blocked the fire exit,” said the officer

Meanwhile, in a letter sent via their lawyer, the owners of 1Above claimed their innocence. Kripesh Sanghvi and his brother Jigar alleged that the fire started from originated from Mojo Bistro. People who lost their lives in the bathroom of 1Above were patrons of Mojo Bistro, stated the letter.

Another officer said around 150 people were present at 1 Above as it was a ladies night, while there were just 35 customer at Mojo Bistro.

“Witnesses and victims’ relatives confirmed that they had gone to 1 Above for dinner,” said Suryakant Naikode of NM Joshi Marg police station.

“We are awaiting the fire department’s report on the cause of the fire. If they say the blaze fire broke out from Mojo, we will book its owners too,” said the officer.

Explain action taken to stop violation: BMC to 5 officials

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday issued show cause notices to five civic officials who were suspended in connection with the Kamala Mills fire.

It has asked them to explain what action they had taken against the violation of fire safety norms by two rooftop restaurants 1Above and Mojo Bistro. The officials have to submit documents to support action taken against the restaurants and approvals.

The fire is suspected to have started from a rooftop restaurant, 1Above, and spread to the neighbouring Mojo Bistro and engulfed the whole building in Kamala Mills compound early on December 30. As many as 14 people were killed and 55 others injured.

This led civic chief Ajoy Mehta to suspend a divisional fire officer; two officers from the building and factory, and health departments; a ward-level designated officer; and a junior sub-engineer from G-South ward. He also transferred an assistant municipal commissioner.

Mehta also ordered an inquiry to be conducted by additional municipal commissioner (AMC) Vijay Singhal against the suspended officers. The inquiry report is expected to be submitted within a month.

According to sources, the BMC demolished part of the balcony extension common to Mojo Bistro and 1Above in August. In the following month, it found that the space was being used again. In October, it raided and confiscated the furniture placed in the balcony. Despite complaints and violations, restaurants’ licences were not cancelled. Five suspended officers are accused of overlooking such construction and fire safety violations.

In case of the Kamala Mills fire, the BMC found the exit and entry points of the bamboo rooftop structure were narrow, making it a fire hazard.