Fire destroys 41 vehicles at housing society in Kondhwa; residents blame power utility
Fire destroys 41 vehicles at housing society in Kondhwa; residents blame power utility
After a huge fire engulfed Global Heights in Kondhwa early morning yesterday, it created massive destruction. 38 two-wheelers, one car and three auto rickshaws were charred completely. Four apartments were partially burned. However, 50-55 residents, who were present in this building, escaped unhurt.
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| Aftermath: A child looks at the charred remains of two-wheelers after fire engulfed Global Heights, a residential apartment at Kondhwa. Pic/Jignesh Mistry |
The residents complained that the fire brigade came only after an hour and forty-five minutes. According to them, a huge disaster was mitigated after a neighbouring resident started pouring water from overhead water tanks. The residents were immensely thankful to Machindra Mane, who resides in a building opposite Global Heights.
Officiating Chief Fire Officer Prashant Ranpise said, "According to our record books, we received a call at 1.35 am the fire tender was sent at 1.36 am. It reached the spot at 1.43 am only to see that the road near Jyoti Hotel was blocked owing to digging work. The officers had to take longer route but they managed to reach the spot at 1.53 am and the fire was brought under control in next twenty minutes." The residents attribute the fire to a short circuit. According to them, the short circuit happened because of exposed live wires in the building. They say the wires were haphazardly cut after the electric supply to two electric meters was suspended on February 26 owing to non-payment of bill.
According to Imran Shaikh whose three two-wheelers was burned completely, "This incident took place because a wiremen appointed by MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited) kept the live wires hanging precariously resulting in a short circuit. When the sparks emerging from live wires fell on a two-wheeler, which was parked down, it caught fire and the blast took place, charring 38 vehicles completely."
Bashir Shaikh, Chairperson of Global Heights, said, "This happened despite requesting the MSEDCL to give us two days time to clear our unpaid bills but they chose to snap our supply and they did it haphazardly." Another resident, Sahana Shaikh, said, "They do not care for our safety and security.u00a0 MSEDCL should compensate for our losses at the earliest."
