Mumbai: Revisiting Tragic 2017 Kamala Mills Fire And What Triggered It

A major fire broke out in a seven-storey commercial building in Mumbai today.

The blaze broke out in the Times Tower building in Kamala Mills compound of Lower Parel area around 6:30 am, an official said.

The fire brigade has declared it a level 2 (major) fire and sent eight fire engines and other fire fighting vehicles to the spot, the official said. There is no report of any casualty so far, he added.

Is Kamala Mills prone to fire mishaps?

On December 29, 2017, a fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. at 1Above in Kamala Mills, later spreading to Mojo's Bistro restaurant, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 people and injuring several others.

The fire was severe, and multiple firefighting units, including four fire engines and other specialized vehicles, were dispatched to contain the blaze.

Mumbai Police booked 14 individuals, including restaurant owners, employees, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, and mill owners, under charges such as culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Among those charged were Ramesh Gowani and Ravi Bhandari, the owners of Kamala Mills, though they were later discharged by the Mumbai Sessions Court on November 10, 2020. All accused faced charges under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006.

In another incident on February 26, 37 individuals were rescued from a commercial building in Santacruz West, Mumbai, after a fire broke out in the Options Commercial Centre.

The fire, reported at 5:22 p.m., was confined mainly to electrical wiring on the second floor, while the building spanned two basements, a ground floor, and two upper floors.

(With PTI inputs)