Aayakar Bhavan fire puts Mumbai’s basement fire-safety risks under scanner

Aayakar Bhavan in Churchgate. Pics/Madhulika Ram Kavattur

The fire at Aayakar Bhavan on Monday has brought fire-safety concerns linked to basements in the city under the scanner. The incident at the Income Tax office highlighted the risks posed by basements in large buildings when used to store large quantities of combustible material.

Case background

The fire was reported to the Mumbai Fire Brigade at 2.01 pm. Firefighting and evacuation efforts were carried out simultaneously and completed successfully by evening. The main challenge, along with evacuating around 1500 employees, was the danger posed by dense smoke inside the building, which can quickly build up in enclosed spaces such as basements and travel to higher floors.

[popcorn number="12,000-sq-ft" desc="Size of affected basement at Aayakar Bhavan" class="Default"]

Basement damage

The blaze badly damaged the basement, destroying documents and other material. Electrical wiring melted together, while water used during firefighting accumulated to knee-deep levels.

Water is pumped out of the basement of the building on August 18

Probe underway

An official from the Mumbai Fire Brigade told mid-day, "The cause of the blaze is yet to be established, and an investigation is underway. The building has been shut until the probe is completed."

Safety checks

When this reporter visited the building on Tuesday, the Fire Brigade was pumping out water that had accumulated to knee-deep levels during Monday's firefighting operation. The incident has once again highlighted the need for regular fire-safety audits, controlled basement storage, unobstructed escape routes and coordinated evacuation plans in Mumbai's large offices and institutional buildings.

Firemen's account

SD Sawant, deputy chief fire officer

‘The fire began in a roughly 12,000-sq-ft J-shaped basement storing sensitive records, documents, carpets, cupboards, and other inflammable material. Fire Brigade officers were stationed at staircases on every floor to control the evacuation, while employees coordinated through a WhatsApp group. As the fire intensified, some occupants panicked, prompting fire-fighters to use turntable and aerial ladders.

Our priority was a safe and controlled evacuation, and everyone was rescued with little to no injury. Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport also promptly disconnected the power supply to the building and neighbouring premises, reducing the risk of the fire spreading. The WhatsApp group helped curb panic among people.

When firefighters reached the scene, they guided the employees, and the instructions were circulated in the group. The employees might have had a fire drill earlier, which helped them remain calm and follow the instructions as they made their way down the stairs. Any stampede-like situation was avoided because of this'.