Fire in Sai Sapphire building, Powai
In the early hours of March 20, a fire erupted on the 17th floor of the Sai Sapphire building, a towering 24-storey in the Powai Vihar Complex. The fire broke out in the ducts, prompting a swift response from the fire department. No less than seven fire engines raced to the scene, managing to control the blaze before it could cause any harm to residents. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the exact cause of the fire is not yet known, told fire officials.
This incident marks the second fire in Powai in just a week, raising serious concerns among residents about fire safety in the area. The previous blaze occurred on Saturday, when a short circuit in an air conditioning unit triggered a fire on the sixth floor of the Eden 4 building in Hiranandani. Quick-thinking security guards, STF and residents acted fast to avert a potential disaster, ensuring everyone was safely evacuated.
On the morning of the 20 March, residents noticed smoke billowing from the 17th floor around 9:20 a.m. “The moment we saw smoke and fire, we got the word out to evacuate the building,” a resident shared with Avartan Powai.
The fire engines, dispatched from various stations including Marol, Vikhroli, and Mulund, arrived promptly, bringing the situation under control within few minutes.
Fire incident in Eden-4, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
However, this incident has highlighted significant gaps in local fire safety measures. Mandeep Singh, a founder member of the Chandivali Citizen Welfare Association, expressed his frustration over the inadequate staffing and lack of equipment at a nearby mini fire station. “It’s just a stone’s throw away from where the fire happened, yet it’s practically useless without proper resources. We’ve raised this issue repeatedly, but the fire department and the municipality seem deaf to our concerns,” Singh said.
The recent fires have intensified calls for better fire safety infrastructure in Powai. Residents have long been demanding a dedicated fire station equipped to handle emergencies in this densely populated area. Despite their efforts, they feel their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. “We face traffic jams that delay the response time from the Vikhroli and Marol fire station. This area is brimming with high-rise buildings, yet our calls for a separate fire station go unanswered,” a resident lamented.
Reflecting on past tragedies, another resident pointed out, “Seven lives were lost in a previous incident at Lake Home. How many more lives will it take for the administration to act?”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these incidents, the urgency for improved fire safety measures in Powai has never been clearer. Residents hope that these recent events will serve as a wake-up call for authorities to address these pressing safety concerns and prevent future tragedies from unfolding.
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