Short-circuits spark 75% city fires

Mumbai: Around 75% of fires in the city occur because of short-circuit caused by loose wiring. The reason, officially called defective electric circuits (DEC), was behind 9,711 of 13,185 fires in the last three years. 

    RTI activist Chetan Kothari, who obtained the data through a plea, said to prevent fires, the cause of every incident should be found and scientifically studied. "For example, we know that throwing away lit cigarette butts can cause fires. Will you be surprised, then, to know that indeed they do? As per the reply to my RTI plea, 1,806 fires between April 2009 and January 2012 were caused by careless smoking or improper disposal of cigarette butts and matchsticks." 
    The data reveals that short-circuits mostly occur in old buildings, especially in densely populated areas or crowded markets. In the period mentioned, the maximum number of short-circuits occurred around Memonwada fire station, which has busy markets like Bhendi Bazaar, followed by Byculla, Mulund, Worli, Chembur, Andheri, Gowalia Tank and Dharavi, all thickly populated areas. The Mantralaya fire, too, is not an exception to this trend since the secretariat building is old. Regular checks of earth wires, fuses can prevent fires: Experts 
Mumbai: An application filed under the Right to Information Act by activist Chetan Kothari has revealed that short-circuit, the reason for most of the fires in the city, usually occurs in buildings in crowded localities. A fire expert said that had the authorities gone through the data and taken preventive action, Mantralaya could have been saved. "The non-renewal of wiring capacity against increased load because of additional equipment ultimately results in overheating and fire. This phenomenon is common to all old, ill-maintained establishments," said an expert. 
    Power expert Ashok Pendse recommends regular checking of earth wires, circuit breakers and fuses, which cut off power supply if a shor t-circuit occurs. "Also, one should use gadgets with quality certification from well-known agencies." 
    According to a Mantralaya source, though there are rules for electrification and maintenance, "there are not enough men and machinery to ensure that these are followed in letter and spirit".

Mantralaya employees resumed work on Monday after mourning the five victims of the fire that devastated the state's seat of power last Thursday. Related reports, P 4

BACK AT WORK: CM Prithviraj Chavan, along with his PRO Satish Lalit (circled), who was injured in the fire, carries out official duties at Mantralaya on Monday