14 August,2026 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak Mehta
Mumbai Fire Brigade officials visit the Shanta Bhavan building on Thursday to speak to those who witnessed the blaze that broke out on August 11. PIC/SARTHAK MEHTA
The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) issued an ultimatum on Thursday to the residential building in Vile Parle where a blaze broke out two days previously regarding its lack of fire compliance. As per a senior fire official, the MFB observed that Shanta Bhuvan Society hadn't filed form B, a fire safety compliance certificate, which is mandatory.
Officials also revisited the building for further investigation and to record key witness statements on Thursday. "All key eyewitness statements have been recorded barring one; Hiren Batavia, the grandfather of the deceased two-and-a-half-year-old, is yet to provide his account due to some health issues," said a senior fire department officer.
The Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 prescribes biannual renewal of fire compliance by societies, which are supposed to submit form B on the civic body's online portal in January and July.
"A licensed fire installation agency carries out inspection of the property and certifies in form B that all safety measures or fire prevention equipment or installations are working efficiently.
Since this is for the safety of citizens, everyone should insist that their committees submit it regularly," stated Vilas Nagalkar, an architect and a member of the Practising Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association.
Form B is available on the BMC website and can be filled and uploaded digitally.
As per fire officials, members will have to ensure that the building is fire compliant and apply for an inspection to MFB. Fire officials will inspect Shanta Bhuvan and revise its compliance status. If the society fails to act on the letter, officials under the 2006 Act are empowered to disconnect the electricity and even seal the building.
A two-and-a-half-year-old boy died along with his nanny, 23, after the fire broke out in their 11th-floor flat around 9 pm. Six people, including a watchman and a firefighter, were injured. The blaze was doused around 12.25 am on Wednesday.
A senior MFB official said, "Sprinklers and water hoses worked partially and stopped working as soon as the electricity and water supply was cut; ideally, they should have been automated. We had to deploy our hoses from the ground to the 11th floor."
A resident of Shanta Bhuvan CHSL said, "We weren't aware that any such compliance was pending from our end; that's our committee members' duty. We thought the building's fire system was in perfectly working order. Yet, lives were lost, and we were forced out of our homes for a few days before fire officials allowed us to return."
The Santacruz police on Wednesday registered an accidental death report. "It is not a police case yet. We launch an investigation only after the fire officials flag something potentially criminal such as arson," said an official from Santacruz police station. The officer added, "The lack of fire compliance documents is a civil issue and doesn't necessarily warrant criminal charges."
[popcorn number="12.25 am" desc="Time blaze was doused on Wednesday" class="Default"]
