The fire, which was believed to have been caused by a short circuit, was discovered by two workers from the Sukh Shanti society. The workers, Vijay Mandal and Prakash Mandal, noticed smoke emerging from a closed tailor shop and quickly informed the watchman about the situation.
Thanks to their prompt actions, along with the assistance of the security guard, a major disaster was averted at Peddar Road in South Mumbai. The fire occurred at the renowned tailor shop, Libas, situated on the ground floor of the Sukh Shanti building at 6:10 am on Monday. Fortunately, the blaze was contained within the shop premises, preventing it from spreading further.
Vijay Mandal shared with mid-day.com, “The watchman, Ghansham, was alerted by us, who then informed the other society members. The fire brigade was immediately called, and they arrived at the location within 10 minutes.” Prakash Mandal added that they also made sure to notify all the residents of the society to evacuate safely.
In their attempt to enter the shop with a fire extinguisher through the back door, the Mandal duo faced intense heat, making it impossible for them to proceed. Eventually, the fire brigade team managed to open the main door of the shop and successfully extinguished the flames. According to one society member, there were no fire extinguishers accessible in the shop, while the shop owner, Riyaz Kanji, claimed otherwise, stating that they were present.
Riyaz Kanji expressed his devastation over the incident, revealing that clothing worth millions was destroyed in the fire. He mentioned receiving calls from worried customers inquiring about their garments and acknowledged the need to rebuild the business from scratch. The Mumbai Fire Brigade’s report indicated that the fire primarily affected the shop’s electric wiring, installations, wooden furniture, and garment inventory within a 4,000 square feet area.
By 8:54 am, the firefighters managed to extinguish the fire, although the exact cause is yet to be determined. Sources suggest that a short circuit may have been the triggering factor behind the blaze. Despite the losses incurred, the swift response of the society workers and security guard played a crucial role in preventing a more significant tragedy.
As a new graduate journalist, I’m not entirely sure why the presence or absence of fire extinguishers matters so much in a situation like this. It seems like a basic safety measure that should be in place, but hey, what do I know? It’s just one of those things that make you scratch your head and wonder.
Maybe it’s just me, but the resilience shown by the shop owner in the face of such a devastating event is truly commendable. To have the courage to start over after losing so much speaks volumes about his determination and spirit. It’s stories like these that remind us of the strength of the human will in times of adversity.
In conclusion, the efforts of the Sukh Shanti society workers and the security guard deserve recognition for their swift actions in containing the fire. While the exact cause of the blaze remains unknown, the collective response to the emergency exemplifies the importance of preparedness and quick thinking in such situations. The community’s ability to come together in times of crisis is a testament to the resilience and unity that can emerge from adversity.
