Kamala Mills blaze in Mumbai: Experts say hookah embers alone can’t cause such a fire

If forensic experts are to be believed, coal embers alone cannot be the cause of a fire of such magnitude unless it has been combined with hydro-carbons.

What started the fire, that gutted two restaurants at Kamala Mills on December 29? The question has not been answered conclusively.

A massive fire at Kamala Mills in Mumbai burnt down two resto-bars on December 29. (HT File)

Could embers from a hookah have started the fire? If forensic experts are to be believed, coal embers alone cannot be the cause of a fire of such magnitude unless it has been combined with hydro-carbons such as petrol or petroleum products or comes in contact with such products.

The Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) at Kalina, has been given 250 samples, collected from the gutted restaurants at Kamala Mills, to analyse the cause of the fire. Although it is yet to submit its findings, government sources said there has been no scientific evidence to prove the fire started because of the coal embers from a hookah. There is also no evidence to suggest any petroleum product was mixed with the coal.

“Although it has to be studied, the coal embers must have been exposed to some liquid inflammable substance like petrol or petroleum products,” said MK Madve, former director, FSL. He also said traces of any petroleum products may have been washed off the spot from where samples were collected during the fire-fighting operations.

Dr Harish Pathak, head of the department of forensic medicine and toxicology at KEM Hospital said 14 persons lost their lives in the fire due to carboxyhaemoglobin – a condition induced by inhaling carbon monoxide, which is produced owing to highly inflammable material used in renovation materials such as plastic or low-quality wood.

“At times, forensic results cannot be concrete as samples may not be specific to the area where the fire started,” he said.

However, patrons of Mojo’s Bistro told the NM Joshi Marg police that all they saw was the ‘nylon’ curtain burning, “The patrons of Mojo’s Bistro have said that the fire did start in the restaurant,” said an officer from the NM Joshi Marg police station, requesting anonymity.