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Major fire during Maharashtra Night at Make in India Week. Swift action. No casualties

Ashwin Aghor | Updated on: 14 February 2017, 5:40 IST

Sensation reigned high at Girgaum Chowpatty in Mumbai on Sunday evening during the flagship cultural event 'Maharashtra Night' at the Make in India Week when the stage caught fire. The entire stage was reduced to ashes in no time. However, no one was injured in the fire and no casualties were reported. The Mumbai fire brigade and Mumbai police did a commendable job in swiftly evacuating people including celebrities and VVIPs present on the spot. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally monitored the fire fighting and evacuation till the end.

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Fire at Make in India event that engulfed the stage during the lavani event

Speaking to media Fadnavis said, "No one was injured in the fire and there is no casualties. The disaster management plan was in place and implemented effectively immediately after the fire broke under the stage. The reason of fire is yet to be ascertained, an inquiry would be initiated in the matter." 7,000 people were evacuated within the first ten minutes and no one was injured.

All aspects that include the sabotage angle are being investigated to ascertain the cause of the fire that engulfed the stage at Make in India. "We will probe all aspects, including finding out if there was a sabotage angle involved," a fire brigade official told PTI.

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Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in the control room taking stock of the situation

Initially, the Bombay High Court on 28 January had denied permission for this particular event at Chowpatty. The government then challenged the Supreme Court for which they got the permission. Most of the Make in India week events are happening at Bandra-Kurla Compleex. This lavani event, was one of the few to take place at Chowpatty.

It being a state event and due to presence of various dignitaries and celebrities, fire tenders and ambulances were already stationed on the spot. In addition to these, 14 fire tenders and 10 water tankers were pressed into action. The fire broke at around 8.20 pm and was doused 9.30 pm.

The cultural programme "Maharashtra Rajani' on the tradition of the state was underway on the stage specially constructed for the event at Girgaum Chaupati. Celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini performed on the stage few minutes before the fire. Amitabh Bachchan recited Maharashtra Poem while Hema Malini presented Ganesh Vandana at the beginning of the event.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and others during the inauguration of the Maharashtra event during Make in India. Photo: PTI

All the ministers, including Governor of Maharashtra C Vidyasagar Rao, CM Fadnavis, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray were present at the event when the fire broke out. It was when actor Puja Savant was performing on the stage when people in the first row noticed some sparks under the stage. They alerted the artists and other people. The music was immediately put off, and people were evacuated smoothly within a few minutes.

Actor Vivek Oberoi, who was compering the programme, had climbed down the stage few minutes before the fire. Various other celebrates such as Shreyas Talpade, Vaibhav Tatwdvadi, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan were present at the event. All those present at the event were safely evacuated.

The Chief Fire Officer, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) Prabhat Rahangdale said, "Prima facie, it appears that fire broke due to short circuit. The fire crackers placed in front of the stage for fireworks went off thereby spreading the fire. Moreover, high velocity sea winds spread it further. Fortunately, there was no casualty or injury. We will conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident." The entire set erected for the event was reduced to ashes in no time, causing losses estimated to the tune of Rs 25 Cr.

First published: 15 February 2016, 1:46 IST
 
Ashwin Aghor @CatchNews

Journalist based in Mumbai.