Fire at MII Week event: FIR registered against Wizcraft

Mumbai, Feb 26: Mumbai police has registered an FIR against event management company Wizcraft for alleged negligence in connection with the fire at a cultural event during the recently held 'Make in India Week' here.

Mumbai police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni today said a case was registered last night under IPC sections 336, for an act endangering life or personal safety of others, and under 285, for negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter.

On February 14, a massive fire had engulfed the stage at a cultural event held at Girgaum Chowpatty seafront here where a string of film celebrities and political leaders were present as part of the high-profile 'Make in India' investment meet.

The fire caused a damage of around Rs 5 crore but nobody was injured. All the VVIPs at the event, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, were evacuated to safer areas.

Two days ago, Mumbai Fire Department said the massive fire was caused by defective electric circuit and stated that the organiser, Wizcraft, kept LPG cylinders under the stage, despite instructions against it.

The inquiry by Fire Department found that LPG cylinders were brought to the venue at Girgaum Chowpatty by the show organisers to create the image of Lord Ganesh, neglecting the safety instructions given in writing.

"This act of the organiser, Wizcraft International Entertainment, shows wilful negligence/wilful flouting of the fire safety instructions," said the probe report.

PTI